Daryanto, StefaniWang, LixinJacinthe, Pierre-André2018-03-142018-03-142017-09-21Daryanto, S., Wang, L., & Jacinthe, P.-A. (2017). Impacts of no-tillage management on nitrate loss from corn, soybean and wheat cultivation: A meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12383-72045-2322https://hdl.handle.net/1805/15546Although no-till (NT) has been promoted as an alternative land management practice to conventional tillage (CT), its impact on water quality, especially nitrate (NO3 −) loss remain controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare NO3 − concentration and load in NT and CT systems via two major transport pathways: runoff and leaching. Rainfall variability, aridity, soil texture, tillage duration, crop species, and fertilizer type were used as co-varying factors. In comparison to CT, NT resulted in an overall increase of runoff NO3 − concentration, but similar runoff NO3 − load. In contrast, leachate NO3 − load was greater under NT than under CT, although leachate NO3 − concentration was similar under both tillage practices, indicating that the effect of NT on NO3 − load was largely determined by changes in water flux. Some deviations from these overall trends, however, were recorded with different co-varying variables. In comparison to CT, NT, for example, generated lower leachate NO3 − concentration and similar (instead of elevated) NO3 − leachate load from soybean fields (no N fertilizer applied). These results suggest NT needs to be complemented with other practices (e.g., cover crops, reduced N rate, split N application) in order to improve soil N retention and water quality benefits.en-USAttribution 3.0 United Statesnitrate losstillageland managementArticle