English: minimal tillage

Part of speech

Verb

Definition

Minimal tillage is different from that of conventional cultivations because ploughing is replaced by light cultivations with tined and disced implements which do not penetrate the soil so deeply. Approximately 30% or more of the soil surface is kept covered with crop residues. This is followed by spraying 2 weeks later with a contact herbicide to kill volunteer plants and weeds. The crop is then drilled into this seedbed.