No-Till Farming and Agriculture Practices - Term Paper Example

The organic matter residues which are left by the previous crop, water, the microbes present in the soil, and other living organisms like fungi, earthworms etc are disturbed. All such happens in the traditional methods of crop cultivation. In the methodology applied in No-till farming, the farmers use such machines which only makes hole in the soil where the seed is to be planted. The area surrounding that hole is not disturbed thus the seed is provided with sufficient organic materials, water, minerals and certain symbionts which may enhance the growth and yield (No-Tillage Farming. 2012). The concept of no-till farming was introduced by Edward Faulkner in the 1940’s but it did not gain attention until after the World War II.

With the synthesis of new chemicals after the World War II, many scientists and researchers stepped out to look for newer ideas. With the advent in the modern technology, no-till farming is rapidly being adopted by most farmers in the developed countries. It is known as the best practice in agriculture because of its efficiency and feasibility. The method of no-till farming gives more and much better yield as compared to the conventional methods. It is less laborious and more economical. It requires less fuel, chemicals, and fertilizers in contrast to the traditional method in which the fertilizers were added to the entire field for enrichment.

As no-tillage method disturbs as little soil as possible, it keeps the soil integrity intact thus prevents soil erosion and the organic residues form the previous crops are not removed. This enhances the organic matter in the soil and thus the seed is encircled inside it. In the traditional methods of farming, the soil was rigorously disturbed which increased the surface area of the superficial organic matter to the soil microbes. The microbes rapidly decomposed all the organic matter which then became unavailable for the