Sustainable cropping systems that balance agricultural productivity and ecological integrity are urgently needed. Overreliance on soil tillage and herbicides to manage weeds has resulted in a number of major environmental problems including soil erosion and degradation, biodiversity loss, and water quality impairment. Combining organic farming and conservation agriculture is a viable alternative to address these challenges. In particular, mulch-based no tillage systems can be used to reduce tillage in organic production, improving soil quality while decreasing labor and fuel requirements. This technique involves planting cash crops directly into terminated cover crops that remain on soil surface and serve as mulch to prevent weeds establishment and protect soil from erosion. Despite potential benefits, adoption of organic mulch-based no tillage is limited due to challenges with cover crop termination, weed suppression, and yields. Here, we (i) review international research on organic mulch-based no tillage systems (soybean and maize), (ii) identify production issues that limit the success of this technique, and (iii) outline research priorities. As result, organic mulch-based no tillage is knowledge intensive and requires advanced planning and careful management of the cover crop. Primary challenges include timely cover crop establishment and termination, nutrient management, reduced soil temperature and moisture at planting, and achieving adequate seed-to-soil contact when planting into thick mulch on soil surface. Long-term research is needed to better understand the effects of this technique production on soil health and on the broader environmental and economic impacts. To increase adoption of organic mulch-based no tillage, future research should focus on (i) screening species and cultivars to identify cover crop and crop combinations that optimize cropping system performance and (ii) developing equipment for improving cover crop termination and seed placement. Research conducted in partnership with farmers will be valuable for developing guidelines and increasing adoption of this technique.

中文翻译：

---

利用覆盖作物的覆盖物促进有机免耕大豆和玉米的生产。回顾

迫切需要平衡农业生产力和生态完整性的可持续种植系统。过度依赖土壤耕作和除草剂来治理杂草导致了许多主要的环境问题，包括土壤侵蚀和退化，生物多样性丧失和水质受损。有机农业与保护性农业相结合是应对这些挑战的可行选择。特别是，基于覆盖的免耕系统可用于减少有机生产中的耕作，改善土壤质量，同时减少人工和燃料需求。该技术涉及将经济作物直接种植到保留在土壤表层的终止的覆盖作物中，并作为覆盖物防止杂草的形成并保护土壤免受侵蚀。尽管有潜在的好处，由于覆盖农作物的终止，杂草抑制和单产的挑战，采用有机覆盖的免耕法受到限制。在这里，我们（i）审查了有关基于有机覆盖物的免耕系统（大豆和玉米）的国际研究，（ii）确定了限制该技术成功的生产问题，并且（iii）概述了研究重点。结果，基于有机覆盖物的免耕耕作需要大量的知识，因此需要对覆盖作物进行高级规划和仔细管理。主要挑战包括：及时覆盖农作物的建立和终止，养分管理，种植时降低土壤温度和水分，以及在土壤表层覆盖较厚的覆盖物中种植时，使种子与土壤充分接触。需要进行长期研究，以更好地了解该技术生产对土壤健康以及对更广泛的环境和经济影响的影响。为了增加基于有机覆盖物的免耕耕作的采用，未来的研究应侧重于（i）筛选物种和品种，以识别能优化耕作系统性能的覆盖作物和作物组合，以及（ii）开发用于改善覆盖作物终止和种子放置的设备。与农民合作进行的研究对于制定指导方针和增加对该技术的采用将是有价值的。未来的研究应侧重于（i）筛选物种和品种，以识别可优化农作物系统性能的农作物和农作物组合，以及（ii）开发用于改善农作物终止和种子安置的设备。与农民合作进行的研究对于制定指导方针和增加对该技术的采用将是有价值的。未来的研究应侧重于（i）筛选物种和品种，以识别可优化农作物系统性能的农作物和农作物组合，以及（ii）开发用于改善农作物终止和种子安置的设备。与农民合作进行的研究对于制定指导方针和增加对该技术的采用将是有价值的。