What is conservation tillage?

Conservation tillage refers to a method of farming that focuses on maintaining soil health by minimizing soil disturbance. This agricultural practice aims to enhance soil structure, retain moisture, and reduce erosion by leaving crop residues on the field after harvest. By doing so, it promotes a healthier ecosystem for beneficial organisms, improves soil fertility, and ultimately leads to greater sustainability in farming operations.

In contrast, other options describe practices that do not align with the principles of conservation tillage. For instance, full soil disturbance, as mentioned in one of the choices, can disrupt soil structure and lead to increased erosion and degradation of beneficial soil organisms. Similarly, frequent plowing would also result in excessive soil disturbance, negating the benefits that conservation tillage seeks to achieve. Lastly, a tool for measuring soil fertility does not encompass the practice of tillage itself; it pertains to assessing soil health rather than the method of tillage used in farming.