Glossary Terms
- Minimum tillage
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Description
Least possible soil disturbance for preparing a seedbed by reducing cultivation and avoiding the use of a plow. It can involve direct drillingDescription Also known as conservation tillage or zero tillage is a way of growing crops from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage ie cultivating the soil usually with tractor-drawn implements. Authoritative On-line References and Resources No-till.com: A portal for on-line information about no-till farming., broadcasting into existing stubbles or adopting a strategy of reduced tillage. The main benefits are to reduce tillage energy consumption, to conserve moisture and soil structure, to reduce disturbance of soil organisms and to retain plant cover to minimize erosion.
Authoritative On-line References and Resources
The European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) promotes best soil management practices based on minimal soil disturbance by reduced tillage.
Synonyms: min-till, min till - Mulch till
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Description
Full-width tillage involving one or more tillage trips which disturbs all of the soil surface and is done prior to and/or during planting. Weed control is accomplished with crop protection products and/or inter-row cultivation.
Authoritative On-line References and Resources
Purdue University-based Conservation Technology Information Centre.