covered with mulch to conserve heat and moisture. 100% soil disturbance. Rotational tillage – Tilling the soil every two years or less often (every other year, or every third year, etc.). Ridge-till Zone tillage Zone tillage is a form of modified deep tillage in which only narrow strips are tilled, leaving soil in between the rows untilled. This type of tillage agitates the soil to help reduce soil compaction problems and to improve internal soil drainage. It is designed to only disrupt the soil in a narrow strip directly below the crop row. In comparison to no-till, which relies on the previous year's plant residue to protect the soil and aids in postponement of the warming of the soil and crop growth in Northern climates, zone tillage produces a strip approximately five inches wide that simultaneously breaks up plow pans, assists in warming the soil and helps to prepare a seedbed. When combined with cover crops, zone tillage helps replace lost organic matter, slows the deterioration of the soil, improves soil drainage, increases soil water and nutrient holding capacity, and allows necessary soil organisms to survive. It has been successfully used on farms in the Midwest and West for over 40 years, and is currently used on more than 36% of the U.S. farmland. Some specific states where zone tillage is currently in practice are Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Its use in the Northern Corn Belt states lacks consistent yield results; however, there is still interest in deep tillage within agriculture. In areas that are not well-drained, deep tillage may be used as an alternative to installing more expensive tile drainage. Effects Positive Plowing: Loosens and aerates the top layer of soil or horizon A, which facilitates planting the crop. Helps mix harvest residue, organic matter (humus), and nutrients evenly into the soil. Mechanically destroys weeds. Dries the soil before seeding (in wetter climates, tillage aids in keeping the soil drier). When done in autumn, helps exposed soil crumble over winter through frosting and defrosting, which helps prepare a smooth surface for spring planting. Can reduce infestations of slugs, cut worms, army worms, and harmful insects as they are attracted by leftover residues from former crops. Reduces the risk of crop diseases which can be harbored in surface residues. Negative Dries the soil before seeding. Soil loses nutrients, like nitrogen and fertilizer, and its ability to store