Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #61

Farming is a well-known occupation in Nigeria, and if not for farming, there would be economic crises in the country.

What is Tilling

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Tilling is simply the agricultural practice of preparing the soil for planting by mechanically stirring, turning, or loosening it. The process of tilling is done using tools such as ploughs, hoes, tractors, and harrows. The main objective of tilling is to create suitable soil condition that allows seeds to germinate easily and crops to grow well.

Discuss the types of Soil Tilling

The types of soil tilling are:

• Primary Tilling: This is the first major soil working operation that involves deep turning of the soil to break hard layers, bury weeds, and mix crop residues.

• Secondary Tilling: This is the tillage that follows primary tillage, and it is usually in a shallower depth. It helps to break soil clods, level the land, and prepare a fine seedbed

• Conventional Rolling: This is a traditional method of tilling that involves complete soil disturbance through ploughing, harrowing, and ridging before planting.

• Minimum (Reduced) Tillage: This is the type that is necessary for planting in which only a small portion of the soil is tilled to conserve moisture and reduce erosion.

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What are the Advantages and disadvantages of soil tilling

The advantages and disadvantages of soil tilling are as follows:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Improves soil aeration and root penetration	Can lead to soil erosion, especially by wind and water
Controls weeds effectively	Destroys beneficial soil organisms
Enhances water infiltration and drainage	Reduces soil organic matter over time
Controls weeds effectively	Destroys beneficial soil organisms
Creates a good seedbed for planting	Requires high labor, fuel, and machinery costs