In which tillage situation is soil erosion potential highest?

The situation with the highest potential for soil erosion is clean-till. Clean tillage involves removing all crop residues from the soil surface before planting, leaving the soil bare. This practice leaves soil exposed to the elements, particularly wind and water, which can lead to significant erosion. Without protective residues, the soil is more susceptible to being washed away by rain or blown away by wind.

In contrast, conservation till, no-till, and reduced till practices maintain some level of ground cover. These methods keep crop residues on the soil surface, which helps to shield the soil from erosion and improves its structure and fertility over time. They also promote better water retention and reduce runoff, making those methods much more effective in controlling soil erosion compared to clean-till.