Tillage

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/tillage

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary agronomic functions?Seedbed preparation, weed control, residue management, and soil aeration
2. What is the historical significance?Enabled the transition from subsistence farming to large-scale agriculture
3. What is tillage and why do farmers do it?Tillage is when farmers use tools or machines to turn and mix the soil. It makes a good bed for seeds, keeps weeds away, and lets water and air reach the roots.
4. How does tillage help plants grow?By turning the soil, tillage lets air and water get into the ground. It also warms the soil in spring so seeds can sprout earlier.

Soil Tilth: The physical condition of soil in relation to its suitability for plant growth.
Crop Residue: The leftover plant material from a harvested crop.
Soil Organic Matter: Decomposed plant and animal material in soil, crucial for fertility and structure.