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24.3 TILLAGE

Tillage is the mechanical manipulation of soil with tools and implements for obtaining conditions ideal for seed germination, seedling establishment and growth of crops.

Tilth: It is the physical l condition of soil obtained out of tillage (or) it is the result of tillage. The tilth may be a coarse tilth, fine tilth or moderate tilth. Based on the requirement of crops being grown and the soil where we are cultivating.

Types of tillage: Tillage operations may be grouped into


1. On season tillage 2. Off-season tillage


On-season tillage: Tillage operations that are done for raising crops in the same season or at the onset of the crop season are known as on season tillage.

Preparatory tillage: This refers to tillage operations that are done to prepare the field for raising crops. It consists of deep opening and loosening of the soil to bring about a desirable tilth as well as to incorporate or uproot weeds and crop stubble when the soil is in a workable condition.


 

Types of preparatory tillage