What is the difference between the terms no-tillage, minimum tillage, conservation tillage, and stubble mulch tillage?
All of these definitions have some variability in their use, particularly in the field. No-tillage is a somewhat deceiving term in that some tillage or soil disturbance has to happen during the planting operation to allow the planter to move through the crop residue and provide adequate soil to seed contact. However, no-till generally means that soil and residue disturbance only occurs during the planting operation and this disturbance is limited to a narrow band around the seed. Minimum tillage and conservation tillage are interrelated terms that describe tillage practices that leave significant crop residue on the soil surface during pre and post planting tillage operation and/or making the surface porous, cloddy, rough or ridged to enhance precipitation capture and storage. Likewise, the aim of stubble mulch tillage is to keep crop residue (stubble) on the soil surface and standing or partially upright for wind protection and/or snow capture. Stubble mulch is generally specific to t
