Tillage :
It refers to the mechanical manipulation of the soil with tools and implements to create favorable soil conditions for better seed germination and subsequent growth of crops.
It is of two types:
Primary:- The cutting and inverting of the soil after harvesting of a crop. It involves all tillage activities performed into the soil after harvesting of a crop to the sowing of another crop. Ex. Ploughing, Subsoiling, Harrowing, Ridge Making, Seedbed preparation, green manure turning, etc.
Objectives
1. To improve the physical condition of the soil and bring it on a good tilth.
2. Leveling of field.
3. To control weeds
Secondary :
It involves all tillage activities between sowing to harvesting of a crop.
Activities to prepare seedbed – Clod breaking, Leveling, incorporation of FYM, etc.
Activities in standing crops – Weeding, inter-cultivation, fertilizer application in soil, Earthing, potato digging, roller for moisture conservation.
Objectives :Â
• To make soil friable
• To improve the water holding capacity of the soil.
• Moisture conservation
• Weed Control
• Layer braking (Blind hoeing )