Page 48 - Introduction to Agriculture by: Aqleem Abbas

Introduction to Agriculture Notes prepared by: Aqleem Abbas

Cultivating the soil with shallow tillage implements before the emergence of crop. It is practiced when
germination is delayed due to some reasons.

Clean tillage

Tillage operation in which no plant is left undisturbed is called clean tillage. In clean tillage weeds are
removed from crops.

Deep tillage is used to incorporated to destroy crops as well as weeds.

Mulch tillage

Tillage operation in such a way that plant residues(stubbles) or other mulch material (plastic, stones) are
left on soil surface is called mulch tillage.

This tillage is implemented where temperature is high, availability of water is low.

Contour tillage

Tillage operation along the contour in order to reduce run off (speed of water).

Wet tillage

It is also called puddling. Tillage operation in standing water in order to produce an impervious layre.
This layer reduces percolation and leaching fertilizers.

Minimum tillage or zero tillage

Concept of minimum tillage was started in united state in 1974 because of high costs of oil prices.
Minimum tillage is aimed at reducing tillage to minimum which is necessary for good seed bed, rapid
germination, satisfactory plant stand and favorable conditions. It is against primary and secondary tillage.
Tillage operation can be reduced by two ways.

By omitting operations which don’t give much benefit and are very costly.

Combining tillage operations by combine drill.

Disadvantages

1. Lesser seed germination.
2. Germination percent decreases.
3. Poor root development.
4. Poor nodule formation.
5. Reduce the rate of decomposition of organic matter.
6. In minimum or zero tillage weeds are controlled by herbicides but continuous use of herbicides
cause pollution. Zero tillage refers to growing of crops with least soil disturbances in which
unwanted crops are controlled by herbicides.
7. The seed is planted directly into the soil with special planting equipments (diplers).
8. Zero tillage is used in high erosion areas.