Tillage

Tillage has been developed in farming to improve soil conditions concerning water balance and crop growth, to incorporate crop residues, and for weed control and seedbed preparation. The effects of tillage depend greatly on the water content and the soil characteristics. Clay soils are rarely found under more suitable conditions for tilling, which are easier to find on medium- or coarse-textured soils. The main undesirable effects of tillage are soil compaction, which leads to lower crop yields and soil degradation, particularly due to water erosion (Chap. 18 ). Erosion of the surface soil layers reduces the natural fertility and water retention capacity of soils.