Table 2 Coding tool for tillage intervention categories
From: How does tillage intensity affect soil organic carbon? A systematic review
Tillage category | Description |
|---|---|
No tillage | No tillage activities undertaken. Also described as direct drill. Some machine activity is present where crops are planted or seeds broadcast, or where fertilisers and pesticides are applied. Light scarification of the soil surface may also occur |
Intermediate intensity tillage | Soil is disturbed to a maximum depth not exceeding 40Â cm and using only non-inversion tillage machinery; i.e. the soil profile is not inverted by means of turning apparatus such as a mouldboard. Examples include; chisel plough, disking, heavy duty cultivator, rotavator, rotary harrow, grubber, and field cultivator |
High intensity tillage | Full inversion tillage occurs where the soil profile is inverted by means of turning apparatus such as a mouldboard. Non-inversion tillage to depths of 40Â cm or more is also included. Ridge tillage, where soil ridges are built up using sets of opposing mouldboards and planted into, is also included |