conservation tillage

The practice of reducing or eliminating tillage operations and leaving crop residues on the soil to prevent erosion. Any of several farming methods that leaves at least 30% of the soil surface converged by residue after planting and provides for seed germination, plant growth, and weed control while maintaining effective ground cover throughout the years and disturb the soil as little as possible. Conservation tillage maintains a ground cover with less soil disturbance than traditional cultivation, thereby reducing soil loss and energy use while maintaining crop yields and quality. The aim is to reduce soil loss and energy use while maintaining crop yields and quality. Conservation tillage techniques include minimum tillage, mulch tillage, ridge tillage, and no-till. No-till is the most restrictive (soil conserving) form of conservation tillage. Any tillage system that maintains a minimum of about 30% crop residue cover after planting compared to clean tillage where all crop residues are incorporated into the soil.

Authorization Path: 1.2.1.2.12.0