Can No-Till Work for Organic Soybeans? Arkansas Researchers Put It to the Test
- AgInnovation
- Oct 24
- 2 min read
Can organic farmers ditch the plow and still stay ahead of weeds? Researchers at the University of Arkansas are finding out. A new field trial compares no-till and conventional systems in organic soybeans—testing everything from cover crops to citrus-based herbicides to see what really works for weed control and soil health.
By John Lovett, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture — summarized for agInnovation
Weed management remains one of the greatest challenges for organic farmers, especially those growing field crops like soybeans without synthetic herbicides.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are testing new approaches to help organic growers suppress weeds while improving soil health.
At the Vegetable Research Station near Kibler, weed scientist Dr. Nilda Burgos and her team are comparing no-till and conventional tillage systems in certified organic soybean plots. Using cover crops such as cereal rye and crimson clover, the study explores how different termination methods, combined with organic weed control tools, affect crop establishment and yield.
Early results show that while no-till soybeans establish more slowly, they eventually develop denser canopies that naturally suppress weeds. Burgos noted that strong cover crop biomass can control weeds for up to 6 weeks—reducing the need for costly hand-hoeing and mechanical cultivation. She also emphasized the importance of reducing the weed seedbank before transitioning land to organic production.
Researchers are also testing limonene, a citrus-based organic herbicide, at 30 gallons per acre. Though moderately effective, it’s expensive—around $150 per gallon—and may be best used in narrow bands where cultivators can’t reach. The study’s final yield and economic analysis will help identify the most sustainable and cost-effective weed control strategies for organic producers.
Beyond the research plot, market demand for organic soybeans is surging. Leeroy Creekmore of Majestic Milling Company noted his Missouri-based mill needs 1.2 million bushels annually and pays about $23 per bushel for organic beans—roughly twice the price of conventional soybeans. Farmers transitioning to organic certification can also earn premiums for non-GMO soybeans, fetching $2–$3 more per bushel.
Although organic acreage remains limited in the Mid-South, experts like Dr. Kelly Cartwright of the Natural Soybean and Grain Alliance say it represents a major opportunity. With premium prices and expanding demand for domestically grown organic feed, research like Burgos’s demonstrates that profitable organic production is possible—even in challenging southern climates.
The project is supported by USDA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OAREI) and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), advancing knowledge that helps farmers nationwide balance productivity, soil health, and sustainability.
