Samanta et al. (2025) Evaluating the potential of no-tillage in enhancing resilience of agricultural watersheds to extreme climatic conditions

Identification

• Journal: The Science of The Total Environment
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-09-22
• Authors: Sayantan Samanta, Srinivasulu Ale, Cristine L.S. Morgan
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180495

Research Groups

• Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mississippi State University
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research (Texas A&M University System)
• Soil Health Institute

Short Summary

This study assessed the effectiveness of no-tillage (NT) in enhancing the resilience of agricultural watersheds to extreme climatic conditions compared to conventional tillage (CT). Results demonstrate that NT significantly reduces future annual soil evaporation, surface runoff, and soil erosion, minimizing the destructive effects of climate change.

Objective

• To assess the effectiveness of no-tillage (NT) in improving the resilience of agricultural watersheds to extreme climatic conditions in comparison to conventional tillage (CT).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Bushy Creek Watershed in the Texas Blackland Prairies, USA.
• Temporal Scale: Historical/baseline period and future emission scenarios (moderate and severe), with annual and monthly analyses of hydrological and erosion processes.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model.
• Data sources: Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) for future emission scenarios; historical/baseline data for comparison (implied observational/reanalysis for model calibration and baseline conditions).

Main Results

• No-tillage (NT) could have reduced historic runoff by 33 % and sediment loss by 58 % at the watershed outlet.
• Under future climate conditions, NT is projected to reduce annual soil evaporation by 46–52 % compared to baseline CT levels.
• NT is projected to reduce future annual surface runoff by 27–33 % compared to baseline CT levels.
• NT is projected to reduce future annual soil erosion by 55–59 % compared to baseline CT levels.
• Under conventional tillage, future soil evaporation, surface runoff, and sediment losses could surpass historic levels for 4.9, 3.6, and 3.9 months per year, respectively.
• NT was highly effective in minimizing runoff and sediment losses during extremely high-intensity rainfall events.
• NT helped maintain rainfed corn yields comparable to historic/baseline CT yields.

Contributions

This study provides quantitative evidence of the significant benefits of no-tillage in mitigating the negative impacts of projected extreme climatic conditions on agricultural watersheds. It offers valuable insights for producers, watershed managers, natural resource conservationists, and policymakers to inform decisions regarding the adoption of no-tillage practices for climate change adaptation.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Samanta2025Evaluating,
  author = {Samanta, Sayantan and Ale, Srinivasulu and Morgan, Cristine L.S.},
  title = {Evaluating the potential of no-tillage in enhancing resilience of agricultural watersheds to extreme climatic conditions},
  journal = {The Science of The Total Environment},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180495},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180495}
}