Indicators of Agroecological Sustainability of Three Tillage Systems for Maize (Zea mayz L.) Production

Of the three tillage systems studied, the plots under the full animal traction system showed the largest values for total dry matter production as well as for the indicators of soil quality, crop health, and socioeconomic sustainability. Overall, the indicators that contributed the most to a higher soil quality ranking were: biological activity, soil structure, and soil cover. In the mixed traction and fully mechanized systems, the indicators that decreased plant health most were the use of mono-cropping and a low surrounding biodiversity. The sites with higher total value for socioeconomic indicators had smaller indebtedness and subsidy dependence, as well as a higher control of local resources.