Conservation tillage systems: a review of its consequences for greenhouse gas emissions

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> Conservation tillage ( <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CT</jats:styled-content> ) is an umbrella term encompassing many types of tillage and residue management systems that aim to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture. Through a global review of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CT</jats:styled-content> research, the objective of this paper was to investigate the impacts of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CT</jats:styled-content> on greenhouse gas ( <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">GHG</jats:styled-content> ) emissions. Based on the analysis presented, <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CT</jats:styled-content> should be developed within the context of specific climates and soils. A number of potential disadvantages in adopting <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CT</jats:styled-content> practices were identified, relating mainly to enhanced nitrous oxide emissions, together with a number of advantages that would justify its wider adoption. Almost all studies examined showed that the adoption of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">CT</jats:styled-content> practices reduced carbon dioxide emissions, while also contributing to increases in soil organic carbon and improvements in soil structure. </jats:p>