Usually, the moldboard plow is used in conjunction with a variety of other tillage implements. Machinery is familiar and widely available. System is flexible and adaptable to a wide range of soil and crop conditions and manure handling systems. Tillage may be used to control weeds throughout the growing season.
Soils warm faster when crop residues are incorporated.
Equipment, fuel and labor costs associated with seedbed preparation are higher. Field traffic is greater, increasing the risk of compaction and the spreading of weeds in the field. Risk of soil erosion by wind and water as well as crusting are greater with inadequate surface residue. Tillage reduces organic matter levels. Mulch Tillage Mulch tillage systems disturb the soil at some point between harvesting one crop and planting the next but attempt to leave residues on the surface.