Publisher's Synopsis
This volume comprises invited reviews and research papers presented at a workshop entitled "Conservation Tillage and Ley Farming Systems for the Semi-Arid Tropics", held in Katherine, Northern Territories, Australia, from 18 to 20 July 1995. The overview paper gives a scientist's view of dryland farming systems in the semi-arid tropics since 1980. The scientific papers address the major themes of the workshop: evaluation of tropical pastures; agronomy and sustainability of ley farming methods; animal production in the semi-arid tropics; weed control and herbicides; nutrient requirements and nitrogen inputs of legume leys; interaction of soil properties and tillage practices; and economic constraints to farming systems in the semi-arid tropics.;The establishment of successful farming systems in the semi-arid tropics of north-west Australia has been an important goal of governments, research institutions, and entrepreneurial farmers for over 50 years. Despite considerable expenditure on agricultural research and development over this period, until recently, achievements have been modest. However, local farmers in the Northern Territory are currently producing dryland crops and livestock using innovative systems based on conservation tillage and ley farming that have evolved from research undertaken in the last 15 years.
