Advantages And Disadvantages Of Tillage: An Introduction To Soil Tillage

Introduction

Tillage is the mechanical modification of soil structure through many tools such as cutting, milling, crushing, beating, and rebound. Tillage is classified into two types primary and secondary tillage. Primary tillage such as plowing have a tendency to produce a rough surface finish, whereas secondary tillage tends to produce a smoother surface finish, for instance that required to make a good seedbed for many crops. Harrowing and rototilling often syndicate primary and secondary tillage into one operation. The condition or state being dependent or addicted to repeated tilling activity to overcome issues of soil for crop production is called “Tillage addiction.” Tillage results in structural degradation of soil. Soil structure

The following are the details of tillage systems with advantages and disadvantages: plowing, chiseling, ridge-tilling, strip-tilling, and

Some soils have exceptionally good properties which is useful for plant growth and some soils are hard to cultivate. One of the major causes of tillage addiction is soil compaction also known as tillage pan.The intensity of tillage depends on the level of soil compaction. The huge mechanical stress applied to soil by powerful machinery is also an outcome of compaction. These forces lead to the loss of soil aggregates and pore spaces.

Tillage addiction looses and aerates the top layer of soil, which facilitates planting the crop. Mechanically it destroys the weeds. It dries the soil before seeding. When autumn is done it helped exposing soil crumble over winter through frosting and defrosting which helps prepare a smooth surface for spring planting. It dries the soil before seeding. Tillage addiction causes the soil to lose a lot of nutrients like nitrogen and fertilizer and also loses its ability to store water. It decreases the water infiltration rate of soil. This results in more runoff and erosion since the soil absorbs water slower than before. Tilling the soil results in dislodging the cohesiveness of the soil particles, thereby inducing erosion. It causes chemical runoff. Tillage not only reduces organic matter in the soil but also reduces microbes, earthworms, ants, etc. It destroys soil aggregates. It also causes eutrophication, nutrient runoff into a body of