Introduction

• refers to the physical manipulation of soil by using different tools and implements in good tilth for better germination of seed and subsequent growth of crops.
• Tillage includes all operations and practices which are used for getting change in physical characters of soil.
• Tillage includes activities such as ploughing, harrowing, discing, planking, leveling, and other various intercultural operations.
• Jethro Tull, called a father of tillage purposed the theory in 1731 AD.

Objectives of Tillage

1. To improve the structure of soil by breaking up the soil mass into loose particles which is essential for suitable seed bed preparation? Good seed bed is necessary for early seed germination and initial stand of the crop.
2. To conserve soil moisture through mulching and brings water to root zone from ground water table.
3. To remove crop stubbles, weeds and their parts like bulb, stolons etc. which is essential for clean cultivation.
4. To conserve soil moisture through higher infiltration, reduce runoff and increase depth of soil for moisture storage due to which the rain water could be absorbed easily and soil erosion can be minimized.
5. To increase oxidation decomposition or mineralization of soil organic matter and increase the organic carbon content and nutrient availability of the soil.
6. To increase soil aeration which helps in multiplication of beneficial soil microorganisms, earthworms and degradation of herbicide and pesticide residues and harmful allelopathic chemicals exuded by roots of previous crop or weeds.
7. To break the hard pans and compacted layers increase the depth of root penetration. Roots proliferate profusely in loose soil which helps in better nodulation in legumes, better anchoring of plants for better mechanical support, inducing drought resistance etc.
8. To incorporate the applied manures and fertilizers and soil reclaiming materials into the soil-by-soil inversion action of tillage. Incorporation of manures and fertilizers reduce volatilization loss.
9. To destroy insect- pest eggs, dormant pupae and fungal spores and their breeding places, which are present on top layers of soil. They are exposed to sun’s heat or to birds resulting in reduced pest attack on the succeeding crop.