Tillage Intensity Linked to Carbon Loss in Soil

Retired USDA scientist says research shows carbon dioxide emissions rise proportionally with soil disturbance from plowing.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:38am

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An abstract painting in muted earth tones featuring sweeping geometric shapes and organic botanical patterns, conceptually representing the complex soil processes and carbon cycling affected by different agricultural methods.Visualizing the hidden carbon dynamics beneath the soil surface that are impacted by farming practices.Indianapolis Today

Retired USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) soil scientist Don Reicosky of Minnesota says research supports his bias against conventional farming and the moldboard plow due to their effects on soil organic matter (SOM). Reicosky's experiments have shown that a high concentration of carbon dioxide gas leaves the soil immediately following a tillage pass, contributing to the greenhouse effect and increasing the effects of global warming.

Why it matters

Reicosky's findings align with long-term studies from the late 19th century to 2000 in Illinois and Missouri that show steady declines in SOM regardless of cropping systems, suggesting tillage is a prime suspect in carbon loss. Maintaining soil health and reducing carbon emissions are critical for addressing climate change.

The details

Reicosky uses a mobile research gas exchange monitor (MR. GEM) to measure the amounts of carbon dioxide gas escaping from the soil on test plots. He says a cloud of CO2 rises behind any tillage tool, indicating organic matter loss in the soil that negatively affects soil fertility, water infiltration, soil biology and overall soil structure.

  • Reicosky presented his findings at the 2019 National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis.

The players

Don Reicosky

A retired USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) soil scientist from Minnesota who has conducted research on the effects of tillage on soil organic matter and carbon emissions.

David Montgomery

A colleague of Reicosky's who is quoted as saying "Soil is lost not because we farm, it's lost because of how we farm."

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What they’re saying

“Soil is lost not because we farm, it's lost because of how we farm.”

— David Montgomery

“Long-term studies from the late 19th century to about 2000 in Illinois and Missouri show, regardless of cropping systems, land on research plots farmed continuously over more than a century have shown steady declines in SOM.”

— Don Reicosky, Retired USDA-ARS Soil Scientist

The takeaway

Reicosky's research highlights the significant impact that conventional tillage practices can have on soil carbon levels and greenhouse gas emissions. As the agriculture industry works to address climate change, adopting more sustainable no-till and conservation farming methods could be crucial for preserving soil health and reducing the environmental footprint of crop production.