Colleagues,

Please see the notice below for information on a special session to look
at strategies for modeling effects of tillage and no-till.

Best regards,
Jeff



Special Session on Modeling Tillage at the 2003 Meetings of the
ASA-CSSA-SSSA, November 2003, Denver, Colorado

Few simulation models attempt to model effects of tillage and residue
management with sufficient detail to represent expected differences
between conventional tillage and no-till systems. During the business
meeting of Division A-3 of the American Society of Agronomy in 2002, the
suggestion was made to hold a special session of A-3 to look at approaches

for modeling tillage. The overall objective would be to assess current
approaches to modeling tillage and suggest possible research activities
over the next few years. Possible topics to cover in the session would
include:
- Agronomists' perspective of modeling needs for conservation agriculture:

high input systems
- Agronomists' perspective of modeling needs for conservation agriculture:

low input systems
- Modeling soil water balances when mulch layers are present
- Modeling residue incorporation and decomposition
- Modeling soil biological activity
- Modeling tillage effects on soil physical properties
- Modeling carbon sequestration
- Documenting tillage and residue management practices for model inputs
and validation
        Individual talks would be 20 minutes long and depending on
interest, we would have a half or whole day session. At the end of the
session, a brief summary would be given, followed by an open discussion on
research needs and approaches.
        If you are interested in presenting papers during this session,
please contact:
Rolf Sommer, CIMMYT, [log in to unmask] (Tel. 52-55-5804-2004 Ext. 2128)
Jeff White, US Water Conservation Lab, [log in to unmask]
           (tel 602-437-1702, ext 268)

Please note that participants should submit title summary forms through
the ASA web site by 27 March. We regret that no funds are available to for
travel costs or registration fees.