Conservation tillage (CS) is a widely implemented and sustainable agricultural practice. Nevertheless, there is substantial controversy regarding its influence on crop yield and the underlying factors that contribute to these effects. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis incorporating 5191 comparisons from 551 studies to assess the global crop yield response to CS. The overall findings indicate that CS resulted in a modest reduction in yield, approximately 1.35 % (<0.05), compared to conventional tillage (CT). However, this result varied, with no significant yield difference (>0.05) between CS and CT when strictly following the three principles of CS (no-till, straw mulching, and crop rotation). It should be acknowledged that the relative importance of these three principles varies depending on natural conditions. For example, straw mulching had a greater positive effect in arid regions than no-till and crop rotation. A random forest model analysis identified several influential factors on the relative yield of CS: seasonal precipitation, temperature, soil pH, and no-till duration. For example, CS had negative benefits when seasonal precipitation exceeded 400 mm. Conversely, implementing CS in alkaline soils had significant positive effects (4 %, <0.05). Additionally, the no-till duration did not always yield absolute positive results; no-till durations exceeding 20 years significantly decreased CS yields (<0.05). Prolonged no-till may lead to undesirable consequences such as increased soil bulk density, weed infestation, pest outbreaks, and disease, all of which can adversely affect crop yields; therefore, it is recommended that no-tillage be rotated with conventional tillage to minimize the negative effects of prolonged and sustained no-tillage on yields. Furthermore, CS had greater potential for increasing production in tropical regions. In conclusion, adopting regionally adapted CS practices can minimize the risk of yield reduction. Implementing adaptive CS techniques in specific locations can promote global food security and achieve sustainable agricultural development.

中文翻译：

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适合区域的保护性耕作可降低作物产量损失的风险：全球荟萃分析


保护性耕作（CS）是一种广泛实施的可持续农业实践。然而，关于它对作物产量的影响以及造成这些影响的潜在因素存在很大争议。我们进行了全面的荟萃分析，纳入了 551 项研究中的 5191 项比较，以评估全球作物产量对 CS 的反应。总体结果表明，与传统耕作 (CT) 相比，CS 导致产量适度下降，约为 1.35% (<0.05)。然而，这一结果有所不同，严格遵循CS的三个原则（免耕、秸秆覆盖和轮作）时，CS和CT之间的产量没有显着差异（>0.05）。应该承认，这三个原则的相对重要性因自然条件而异。例如，在干旱地区，秸秆覆盖比免耕和轮作具有更大的积极作用。随机森林模型分析确定了 CS 相对产量的几个影响因素：季节性降水、温度、土壤 pH 值和免耕时间。例如，当季节性降水量超过 400 毫米时，CS 就会产生负面效益。相反，在碱性土壤中实施 CS 具有显着的积极效果 (4 %, <0.05)。此外，免耕期并不总是产生绝对积极的结果；免耕期超过 20 年会显着降低 CS 产量 (<0.05)。长时间免耕可能会导致不良后果，例如土壤容重增加、杂草侵扰、害虫爆发和疾病，所有这些都会对作物产量产生不利影响；因此，建议将免耕与常规耕作轮作，以尽量减少长期和持续免耕对产量的负面影响。 此外，CS在热带地区增加产量方面具有更大的潜力。总之，采用适合区域的 CS 实践可以最大限度地降低产量下降的风险。在特定地点实施适应性CS技术可以促进全球粮食安全并实现可持续农业发展。