Pollination: Use no tillage in arable fields

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

70%
Certainty

10%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Study locations

Key messages

Pollination (0 studies)

Crop visitation (0 studies)

Pollinator numbers (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study from the USA found more pollinators in plots with no tillage, compared to deep tillage.

Implementation options (0 studies)

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2012–2013 in an irrigated squash field in the Central Valley, California, USA, found more soil-nesting bees in plots with no tillage, compared to deep tillage. Pollinator numbers: More Peponapis pruinosa squash bees emerged from nests in plots with no tillage, compared to deep tillage (11 vs 8 bees/cage). Methods: In August 2012, bee nests were established in 20 plots (3 x 3 x 1.8 m field cages), each of which contained drip-irrigated squash plants. Deep tillage (disking, ripping, and subsoiling: 41 cm maximum depth) was used on 10 of these plots, in autumn 2012. Emerging bees were collected in blue vane traps (26 May–26 September 2013).
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Ullmann K.S., Meisner M.H. & Williams N.M. (2016) Impact of tillage on the crop pollinating, ground-nesting bee, Peponapis pruinosa in California. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 232, 240-246.

Please cite as:

Shackelford, G. E., Kelsey, R., Robertson, R. J., Williams, D. R. & Dicks, L. V. (2017) Sustainable Agriculture in California and Mediterranean Climates: Evidence for the effects of selected interventions. Synopses of Conservation Evidence Series. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Mediterranean Farmland

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Pollination: Use no tillage in arable fields Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	1	Synopsis Link
Pollination: Plant flowers Action Link	Likely to be beneficial	8	Synopsis Link
Crop production: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards Action Link	Likely to be ineffective or harmful	14	Synopsis Link