What type of tillage is characterized by minimal soil disturbance and retention of soil structure?

No-till farming is characterized by minimal soil disturbance and the retention of soil structure. This practice involves planting crops directly into the residue of previous crops without turning the soil. By avoiding tillage, the soil's natural structure, which includes aggregates and pore spaces, is preserved. This is beneficial for various reasons: it helps maintain soil health, reduces erosion, improves water infiltration, and promotes the presence of organisms that contribute to soil fertility.

In contrast, conventional tillage typically involves turning the soil multiple times, disrupting soil layers, and can lead to erosion and degradation of soil structure. Reduced tillage, while better than conventional methods, still involves some disturbance of the soil. Deep tillage, as the name suggests, involves plowing deeply into the soil, which significantly disrupts soil structure and can have negative effects on soil health and moisture retention. Thus, no-till practices stand out for their ability to preserve soil integrity while effectively managing crop production.