InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Future of Food > Student Materials > Module 7: Soils and a Systems Approach to Soil Quality > Module 7.2: Conservation Agriculture: A Systems Approach > Tillage Impacts on Soil Health
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: January 11, 2018

Tillage Impacts on Soil Health

In addition to exposing soil to wind and water erosion, tillage can alter the physical structure, distribution of organic matter and biological activity of soil. At the depth where the plow impacts the soil, a layer of soil compaction can develop (a plow pan), limiting water infiltration and plant rooting depth. Under tillage, crop residues, roots and root hairs and their associated fungal hyphae are disturbed and more decomposed in the plow layer. By contrast, when roots, fine roots, and fungal hyphae are not disturbed and decomposed as rapidly, there are more channels that water, air, earthworms, and roots can move through, and soil aggregation is enhanced. Below is a schematic comparing the root zone profile of a conventionally tilled soil to a no-till soil.

Watch the three videos below, from USDA NRCS about soil tillage and soil health.

  1. Video: The Science of Soil Health: What Happens When You Till? USDA NRCS (3:05)


  2. Video: The Science of Soil Health: Nightcrawlers and Soil Water Flow. USDA NRCS (3:05)


  3. Video: The Science of Soil Health: Compaction USDA NRCS (4:26)


These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »