Soilborne Diseases Challenge No-Till Farmers

Residue management strategies vary across regions to combat crop threats

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:56am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy tones depicting sweeping geometric arcs, intersecting waveforms, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the unseen forces and interactions within the soil microbiome that no-till farmers must navigate.An abstract visualization of the complex soil microbiome and the challenges no-till farmers face in managing soilborne diseases across different regions.Palouse Today

No-till farmers in different regions of the country face unique challenges when it comes to managing crop residues and combating soilborne diseases. While some growers in the Pacific Northwest perform post-harvest residue handling, others in the Midwest and other areas may take different approaches to address these issues.

Why it matters

Proper residue management is crucial for no-till farming, as it can help suppress soilborne diseases and pests that threaten crop yields. Understanding regional differences in no-till practices is important for developing effective strategies to maintain soil health and productivity.

The details

In the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest, many no-till and direct-seed farmers perform some form of residue handling after the small grain harvest. This is done to manage the high levels of crop residue left on the soil surface, which can contribute to the development of soilborne diseases if not properly addressed. In contrast, no-till farmers in other parts of the country may take different approaches to residue management based on their local climate and crop rotation.

  • No-Till Farmer editor Frank Lessiter visited the Palouse region in early August 2010 during the small grain harvest.

The players

Frank Lessiter

Editor of No-Till Farmer magazine, who observed no-till farming practices in the Palouse region.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Understanding regional differences in no-till farming practices, particularly when it comes to residue management, is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat soilborne diseases and maintain soil health. No-till farmers must adapt their approaches to the unique challenges posed by their local environments.