Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Residue and Tillage Management, Mulch Till Code: 345

Units: ac.

C P O 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 2

 Compaction 1

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 1

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 1

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 0

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 1

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 2

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 4

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 2

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater 0

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Managing the amount, orientation and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year round while limiting the 

soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting.

Decreased erosion and less oxidation from less soil disturbance may increase or maintain organic matter. 

Managing residue to reduce soil disturbance and increase residue cover reduces erosion by water.

Managing residue to reduce soil disturbance and increase residue cover reduces erosion by wind.

Managing residue to reduce soil disturbance and increase residue cover reduces erosion by water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Mulch till increases infiltration and decreases evaporation resulting in more available water. However, increased infiltration reduces 

the efficiency of flood and furrow irrigation.

Mulch till increases infiltration and decreases evaporation resulting in more available water.

Less intensive tillage reduces the potential for soil compaction.

Not Applicable

Less tillage disturbance and high residue cropping systems increase organic matter which may buffer salts.

Not Applicable

Mulch till increases infiltration, reducing runoff and ponding.

The action decreases runoff and erosion.

Not Applicable

Less erosion and runoff reduces transport of nutrients.

Not Applicable

Less runoff reduces transport of soluble salts. However increased infiltration results in more seepage which can carry soluble salts 

to the surface.

Not Applicable

Less erosion and runoff reduces delivery of pathogens.

Not Applicable
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 3

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 4

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 1

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 3

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 2

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 0

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 4

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 1

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 0

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 2

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 2

CPPE Practice Effects: 0 No Effect

5 Substantial Improvement -1 Slight Worsening

4 Moderate to Substantial Improvement -2 Slight to Moderate Worsening

3 Moderate Improvement -3 Moderate Worsening

2 Slight to Moderate Improvement -4 Moderate to Substantial Worsening

1 Slight Improvement -5 Substantial Worsening

Not Applicable

Less erosion and runoff reduces transport of sediment.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Crop residue provides some food for wildlife.

Less soil disturbance, increased residue on the surface and fewer field operations reduce the generation of particulate matter.

Reduced use of machinery reduces ozone precursor emissions.

Reduced use of machinery reduces CO2 emissions and increases soil carbon storage.

Not Applicable

Conserving moisture and improving soil conditions contribute to enhanced plant productivity and health.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Few tillage trips across the field and less horsepower requirements.

Few tillage trips across the field and less horsepower requirements.

Crop residue provides some cover/shelter.

Not Applicable

Residue restores some habitat/space.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable