TILLAGE

DEFINATION:- TILLAGE IS THE PHYSICAL MANIPULATION OF SOIL WITH TOOLS

AND IMPLEMENTS TO RESULT IN GOOD TILTH FOR BETTER GERMINATION
AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH OF CROPS.
 TILTH

Tilth is a physical condition of the soil resulting from soil.

Tilth indicates two properties of the soil---
• The size distribution of aggregates
• Mellowness or friability of the soil.
 THE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL
AGGREGATES:-

• The relative proportion of different sizes soil aggregates is known as size

distribution of soil aggregates.
• Higher percentage of larger aggregates (<5mm in dia) are
necessary for irrigated agriculture while higher percent of smaller aggregates
(1-2 mm in dia) are disarable for dryland agriculture.
• The size distribution of aggregates depends on soil types, soil
moisture content and subsequent cultivation.
 MELLOWNESS OR FRIABILITY:-

• It is the property of soil by which clods when dry become

more crumbly
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD TILTH:-

• Soil should be quite porous and has tree or drainage up to

water table.
• The capillary and non capillary pores should be in equal
proportion so that sufficient amount of water is retained in the
soil as well as free air.
 OBJECTIVE OF TILLAGE:-

• Suitable seedbed preparation= Good seedbed is necessary for better seed germination
and easy sowing operation.
• Better growth of the crop= Intimate contact between the soil particles helps to fecilate
movement of water for quicker germination and then better growth and development of the crop.
•  Weed control= Weed growing in the crop field can be controlled by tillage operation.
• Conservation of soil moisture= When the compact soil is ploughed, it increases the soil
depth for water absorption and reduce run-off. This provides more time for infiltration of water and
infiltration rate become higher.
• Improve soil structure= Tillage at proper moisture improves the soil structure by breaking
the compact layers to increase the soil permeability. It also improve soil aeration which helps in
multiplication of microorganism. Organic matter decomposition is hastened resulting in higher nutrient
availability in the soil.
 OBJECTIVE OF TILLAGE:-
(CONTD.)

• Reduce soil mechanical resistance= Increase in 0.5 bar soil mechanical resistance
decreased root growth of barley by 50%. Root development of wheat, pea, rapeseed, linseed, safflower,
sunflower etc decreased in unploughed lands. So, proper tillage can loose the soil as root proliferate
profusely which results in better growth in plants.
• Destroy crop pest= Many of the insect pests remain dormant as pupae in the top layers of soils
which are exposed to sun’s heat or to binds during tillage. The stubbles of previous crops which
harbours insects are removed following tillage. Thus pest attack is reduced on the succeeding crop.
• Inceased the efficiency of agricultural crops= Crop residues and FYM
incorporated into the soil by soil inversion action of tillage. Herbicides and fertilizers are mixed easily
into the soil and become available to the plant root.microorganisms helps in decomposition resulting in
higher nutrient availability. On the other hand, increased aeration helps in degradation of herbicides
and pesticides residues and harmfuk allelopathic chemical excluded by roots of previous crops and
weeds.
MODERN CONCEPT IN TILLAGE
 Conventional tillage involves primary tillage to break open and
turn the soil followed by secondary tillage by which crushing of
clods, repacking, incorporation of plant residues, fertilizers,
smoothing of soil surface etc. is done to obtain the seed bed for
sowing and planting. In this process, energy s ofter wasted and
sometimes soil structure is destroyed. Continuous use of heavy
ploughs creat hard pan in the sub-soil, results in soil infiltration –
more susceptible for runoff and erosion and increased soil
degradation. To avoid this ill effects, modern concept in
tillage is in rule. Recently, considerable change has taken in
tillage particles with the introduction of herbicides in intensive
farming systemsand several new concepts have been
introduced-namely, MINIMUM TILLAGE, ZERO TILLAGE,
STUBBLE MULCH FARMING etc.
 MINIMUM TILLAGE

Minimum tillage is aimed at reducing tillage operation

to minimum necessary for ensuring a good seed bed,
rapid germination, a satisfactory stand and a
favourable growing condition.
 ADVANTAGES
[MINIMUM TILLAGE]

 Time for field preparation is reduced by reducing the number of

field operation.
 It will help to catch the proper crop season or sowing time.
 Energy required is less.
 Cost of operation or land preparation is less.
 Improved soil condition due to decomposition of plant residues
in-situ.
 Less resistance to root growth due to improved soil structure.
 ADVANTAGES (CONTD.)
[MINIMUM TILLAGE]

 Less soil compaction by the reduced movement of heavy tillage

vehicles.
 Maintenance of soil organic carbon is better.
 Higher infiltration rate results increased storage water in the
plough layer.
 Less soil erosion compared to conventional tillage.
 Soil structure is not destroyed. Water loss through run off and
erosion is minimum.
 Conserve soil and soil moisture.
 DISADVANTAGES
[MINIMUM TILLAGE]
 Seed germination is lower with minimum tillage.
 To get optimum plant population, seed rate should be higher in case of
reduced tillage.
 More nitrogen has to be added as rate of decomposition of organic matter is
slow.
 Nodulation is affected in some leguminous crops like peas and broad beans.
 Sowing operation is difficult with ordinary equipments.
 Crop residues or crop stubbles may act as the host of the pest. So, pest
problem may be more. Weed problem also may increase.
 STUBBLE MULCH TILLAGE

• A new approach was developed where soil is

protected at all times whether by growing a crop or
by crop residues left on the surface during fallow
periods, which is known as stubble mulch tillage or
stubble mulch farming.
 ZERO TILLAGE

 Zero tillage is an extreme form of minimum tillage. Primary

tillage is completely avoided and secondary tillage is restricted to
seed bed preparation in the row zone only.
 it is also known as NO TILLAGE.
 In this , new crop is planted in the residues of the previous
crops without any prior soil tillage or seed bed preparation and
it is possible when all the weeds are controlled by the use of
herbicides.
 ZERO TILLAGE IS RESORTED

Where soils are subjected to wind and

water erosion.
When time is too short for tillage
operation.
When requirements of energy and labour
is too high for tillage.
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 Preparation:-- MALLIKA KOLEY.

 Slides & Edit:--- ARNAB PAUL.
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