Comparison of Till, Low-Till, and No-Till Farming Methods
From Open Source Ecology
Basics
- This page goes over Tilling , Low-Till , and No-Till farming methods
- They all have advantages and disadvantages
- This page will explore these and make the decision on which method easier for farmers deciding which method to use
Till
Advantages
- Easier to automate due to simplicity in tools used
- Can be useful in the stages of building up weak soil as nutrients can be added in and mixed in
- Easier to control weeds due to mechanical disruption + burying of weeds
- Airates the soil
- In wetter areas the drying of the soil may be benneficial
Disadvantages
- SOIL EROSION, due to the soil beng loosened it can erode easily
- Lower levels of microbes and small lifeforms (such as earthworms0 in the soil layer
- Lower water absorbtion
- Can compact the soil Tillage Pan
- Can lead to soil depletion long term
Low-Till
- This has many forms that it can be subdivided into; Mulch Till, Strip Till, and simply reducing the frequency of tilling (this page will explore the first two)
Advantages
- Simpler to do than No-Till due to using some of the same equipment just with different depth levels or gaps
- Still has many of the advantages on No-Till farming
Disadvantages
- May still disrupt the microbe and earthworm biome to a certain extent, albeit lesser than the intensive till method
- Same other dissadvantages as No-Till
No-Till
Advantages
- Low Erosion
- Large amount of Sub Surface life such as soil microbes and earthworms
- Better Water Absorbtion
- Less likely to degrade soil long term
Dissadvantages
- More Difficult to Plant (Requires manual labor ( WaterWheel Planter,or more complex automated devices
- Less effective at building up weak soils
- More difficult to apply fertilizer and nutrients to all levels due to not being able to mix it in
- Weed Control More Difficult/Intensive (Either high amounts of manual weeding, steam/flame weeders, or herb/pesticides)
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