Is `direct drilling sufficient to improve soil physical quality?
In the previous section, it is claimed that numerous studies have shown that conventional tillage practices, involving multiple passes of tillage equipment prior to seeding, has a detrimental impact on soil quality. It can be concluded that direct drilling (i.e. soil disturbance only at the time of planting) is likely to result in a less detrimental impact on soil quality. Direct drilling is frequently practised by farmers in the region, often as a step toward a no tillage or zero tillage regime. Many farmers perceive that soil disturbance, even if limited to the seeding zone, is necessary to optimise the microenvironment surrounding the seed. Baker (2003) suggests this should not be the case, and untilled (but loose) soil combined with adequate residue cover provides the better microenvironment potential, on condition that the characteristics of the seeding slot, fertiliser placement and opener design are optimal. Some studies have shown that direct drilling, although less detrimental
