. . . the crying need is for a soil surface similar to that which we find in nature . . .
[and] the way to attain it is to use an implement that is incapable of burying the trash it encounters; in other words, any implement except the plow.
—e.h. Faulkner, 1943
Although tillage is an ancient practice, the ques-
entire crop was harvested, because the straw also had
tion of which tillage system is most appropriate for any
considerable economic value for animal bedding, roofing
particular field or farm is still difficult to answer. Before
thatch, brick making, and fuel. Sometimes, fields were
we discuss different tillage systems, let’s consider why
burned after crop harvest to remove remaining crop
people started tilling ground. Tillage was first practiced
residues and to control pests. Although this cropping
by farmers who grew small-grain crops, such as wheat,
system lasted for centuries, it resulted in excessive ero-
rye, and barley, primarily in western Asia (the Fertile
sion, especially in the Mediterranean region, where it
Crescent), Europe, and northern Africa. Tillage was
caused extensive soil degradation. Eventually deserts
primarily practiced because it created a fine seedbed,
spread as the climate became drier.
thereby greatly improving germination. It also gave
Ancient agricultural systems in the Americas did not
the crop a head-start before a new flush of weeds, and
use intensive full-field tillage for grain production, as
stimulated mineralization of organic nitrogen to forms
they did not have oxen or horses to perform the arduous
that plants could use. The soil was presumably loosened
tillage work. Instead, the early Americans used mostly
by a simple ard (scratch plow) in several directions to
direct seeding with planting sticks, or manual hoes that
create fine aggregates and a smooth seedbed. The loos-
created small mounds (hilling). These practices were well
ened soil also tended to provide a more favorable root-
adapted to the staple crops of corn and beans, which have
ing environment, facilitating seedling survival and plant
large seeds and require lower plant densities than the
growth. Animal traction was employed to accomplish
cereal crops of the Old World. Several seeds were placed
this arduous task. At the end of the growing season, the
in each small hill, which was spaced several feet apart
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Building SoilS for Better CropS: SuStainaBle Soil ManageMent
