Scientists say by keeping carbon in their fields through no-till farming practices, farmers can help countries meet targeted reductions in atmospheric carbon dioxide and reduce the harmful effects of global warming.

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee say, "Our research focuses on the feasibility of different sequestration schemes for reducing natural emissions of carbon dioxide or enhancing the natural uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide."

Growing plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and store it as carbon in their tissues and cells. Most of this carbon is returned to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide when crops are harvested and eaten.

Some carbon, however, can be permanently stored, or confined, in the soil as organic matter. As the land changes, harvesters and farmers can theoretically increase the amount of organic carbon in soil.

The level of carbon kept in ground matter also depends on how the climate changes and how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere.

Researchers say converting from conventional plow tillage to no-till practice is among the most cost-effective ways to reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.