Soil consists of sand, silt, and clay, which come together with organic matter to form aggregates. Pores within and outside these aggregates hold water, air, organic matter, and minerals, and these pores help soil organisms and plant roots thrive. Tilling breaks apart these aggregates and their pores, while no-till farming minimizes soil disturbance and preserves the pores.
No-till practices improve soil health and reduce erosion. They also increase the water-holding capacity of soil, and conserve and regulate moisture within soil, such as by controlling water infiltration and improving water retention. However, no-till farming doesn’t necessarily exclude equipment or technology for working the soil. Consider the
