WHEN GROWERS and educators talk about soil health, it’s usually about combining the benefits of no-till, crop rotations and cover crops 

While a big fan of no-till, Martin Entz places more emphasis on developing a diverse crop rotation than on picking a tillage system. The western Canadian plant scientist at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg says no-till enthusiasts have long proclaimed that they have healthier soils than growers who till the land. Their argument is based on the idea that tillage destroys soil particle aggregates and hinders biological activity.

Tillage Myths. Admitting his ideas are controversial, Entz argues that the perception that tillage destroys soil is incorrect. Even so, he admits no-tilled soils have better soil structure, better nutrient cycling and increase organic matter.

In an article in Canada’s Western Producer magazine, Entz points out that eliminating tillage isn’t necessary to have healthy soils. He’s convinced a diverse crop rotation makes a greater contribution to productive soils than no-till under many western Canadian conditions. While believing in the merits of no-till, he says improving carbon sequestration and soil biology are also important in building soil quality.

When it comes to sequestering carbon, Ontario scientists at the University of Guelph found levels of organic carbon in the entire soil profile were similar in both no-tilled and conventionally-tilled fields. However the top layer of no-tilled soil contained more carbon and had superior soil properties.

Based on his long-time work with organic producers, Entz argues that growers who follow a diverse crop…