How Tillage Affects Soil Health

Tilling is a common part of agriculture. There are even large tools used for industrial farms. Still, there is the question of whether or not tilling affects the health of the soil. Central Machinery Sales has a variety of tools necessary for tilling. Located in Moses Lake, Washington, we also serve Spokane and Pasco, Washington.

What Is Tillage?

Tillage is when you prepare the soil for agriculture by agitating it through digging, overturning, and stirring. Soil can also be tilled through human power with hand tools for shoveling, raking, and hoeing.

Deeper tillage that is more thorough is known as primary. With primary tillage, the soil is loosened and fertilizer is mixed in. This gives the soil a rough texture. Shallower tillage is classified as secondary. 

Secondary tillage has a smoother surface finish than primary tillage. The soil is also finer. Secondary tillage also helps with weed control. Many crops require a smoother surface for a good seedbed. Plowing is considered primary tillage.

Tillage Effects

Healthy soil reduces erosion and cycles crop nutrients. Good soil also supports the roots of plants. It also holds carbon very well. Water infiltrates better in healthy soil. Tilling in the autumn can reduce the yield of your crops.

However, tillage can increase the loss of organic matter. Tilling the soil aerates it which increases biological activity. This causes rapid decomposition, leading to the release of CO2 and soil organic matter.

The damage to soil structure caused by tillage makes the soil more susceptible to compaction. As a result, less water, air, and space are available to healthy organisms in the soil as well as roots. Reduced space increases the chance of runoff.

Many organisms are in the top two inches of the soil. Even shallow tilling can damage the health of the soil. These microorganisms are important for cycling nutrients and decomposing organic matter.

When you reduce tillage, the surface of the soil is protected by the residue that comes from plants. When you till, you break up the structure of the soul and speed up decomposition. Erosion can also become an issue because it destroys the habitat of organisms that can help your plants.

Although tilling is a necessary part of agriculture, too much tilling can damage the soil. It can ruin the structure of the soil. This can lead to compaction and soil erosion. Compaction makes it difficult for water and air to get to the healthy organisms in the soil. Soil that is less healthy can cause a reduction in crop yields. Central Machinery Sales has a variety of tools necessary for tilling. Located in Moses Lake, Washington, we also serve Spokane and Pasco, Washington.