**1. Introduction**

Globally, the agricultural, farming sectors and environmental sustainability are inherently reliant on each other. However, they have undergone significant transformations by mechanization of agriculture, which includes advancements in technology, expansion of operations, socioeconomic progress, alterations in consumption habits, and the looming ignorance of environmental deterioration. About half of Earth's arable land is now used for farming, ranching, or grazing. However, farmers and land managers have altered agricultural ecosystems through resource extraction and wasteful use, in an effort to boost food production for local consumption and export. According to statistics, approximately 2.37 billion individuals, accounting for nearly one-third of the global population, in the 2020 had insufficient access to food due to a lack of resources [1]. Consequently, the challenges of food and nutrition insecurity, in conjunction with climate change, have emerged as the foremost critical and pressing concerns in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals that are delineated in Agenda 2063.Currently, nations across the globe, both developed and developing, are confronted with pressing and interrelated challenges. These challenges pertain to the critical issues of ensuring food security for a rapidly growing population, as well as the restoration of the environment and preservation of natural resources. In an era marked by population growth, climate change, and escalating environmental concerns, the quest for sustainable agricultural practices has become imperative. At the heart of this endeavor lies scientific tillage, a crucial approach to land cultivation that strives to strike a harmonious balance between agricultural productivity and ecological preservation. Unlike traditional, indiscriminate tillage methods, scientific tillage is an evidence-based, technologically driven approach that recognizes the profound impact of human activities on the planet. By harnessing cutting-edge research and innovative techniques, scientific tillage plays a pivotal role in maintaining sustainability in agriculture, safeguarding soil health, mitigating environmental degradation, and securing the future of food production for generations to come. Consistent use of conventional tillage has been shown to degrade soil structural stability, soil biological characteristics, and nutrient storage and supply, according to growing experimental evidence [2, 3]. After the harvest of Rabi and Kharif season crops, conventional tillage entails a series of mechanical procedures to prepare the soil for the next planting season. These operations include deep plowing, deep disking, ripping, shallow-type workings, and fine seedbed preparation. Subsequently, a designated period of fallow is implemented to facilitate the capture of moisture prior to the commencement of planting the subsequent crop. This method leads to the exposure of a bare soil surface, making it susceptible to erosion caused by wind and water. Additionally, heavy rainfall can result in high compaction, necessitating the need to loosen the soil again for weed control and to enhance moisture absorption during subsequent rain events. Tillage strategies change soil physicochemical characteristics, consequently modifying crop yields [4]. The ongoing degradation of soil in arable land, caused by improper tillage practices, has a notable impact on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. This leads to a reduction in the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC), as well as a decline in crop productivity and the value of ecosystem services within agricultural systems [5]. There is a prevailing belief that the primary factor contributing to the historical depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC) in North America is soil disturbance caused by tillage. It is widely acknowledged that a significant increase in SOC sequestration can be achieved by transitioning from conventional plowing to less intensive techniques commonly referred to as conservation tillage. Soil tillage modifications bring in a change in soil structure, and therefore, a strategic method of tilling the soil according to the soil type, structure, and environmental condition can prove an effective method to combat carbon losses and other land degradation happening [6]. The soil health plays a vital role in the managing critical zone of the Earth. To effectively work toward the attainment of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is imperative to uphold fundamental ecosystem services such as food production, plant growth, animal habitat, environmental preservation, carbon sequestration, and overall environmental sustainability. Soil degradation has been observed in various

*Enhancing Agriculture through Strategic Tillage and Soil Management: Unleashing Potential… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113038*

locations worldwide as a result of faulty agricultural practices and lack of knowledge about the new technologies. To effectively accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the designated timeframe of 2030, it may be necessary to adopt and implement more sustainable approaches to the utilization and management of soils, surpassing current practices. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of prioritizing the arena of sustainable soil use and management. Specifically, we emphasize the need to focus on the multifunctional tillage practices and their interdisciplinary linkages with major issues concerned with soil health and environment sustainability.

### **2. Tillage systems**

Tillage systems refer to various methods and practices used in agriculture for preparing the soil for planting, managing crop residues, and controlling weeds. These systems involve different degrees of soil disturbance and manipulation to create an optimal environment for crop growth and maximize agricultural productivity. Soil organisms' natural habitats are strongly influenced by the tillage technique used because of the profound effects that system has on the soil's physical and chemical environment. Tillage techniques can affect the soil's moisture, temperature, airflow, and degree of crop residue integration. The changes in soil physical conditions have both direct and indirect impacts on the climate and ecosystem dynamics (**Figure 1**). A significant challenge in the field of soil ecology research involves comprehending the effects of management practices on the intricate interactions among various organisms within the soil community. Soil manipulations alter the living community of soil in several ways. The microorganisms in soil play a crucial role by performing essential functions such as enhancing soil structure, facilitating nutrient cycling, and facilitating degrading of organic matter [8]. The fundamental motivation for reducing tillage intensity and to shift toward innovative methods is to lessen the financial

**Figure 1.** *Tillage systems as an interwoven element in managing the agroecosystems [7].* burden of tillage in the context of commercial agriculture and to reduce the amount of soil degradation sometimes associated with excessive tillage techniques as well as the indigenous techniques of tillage that cause major problems in the soil–environment dynamics as compared to the innovative techniques (**Table 1**). Tillage needs vary moderately according to the crop and soil type. It may not always be necessary or desirable to till an entire field at once. Row crops including corn (*Zea mays* L.), sugar beets (*Beta vulgaris* L.), and oilseed rape (*Brassica napus* L.) can have their tillage restricted to certain areas of the field, a method known as strip or zone tillage. The process of seedbed preparation can be limited to the specific area where the seeds will be planted, while the rest of the land may undergo a reduced or alternative form of tillage. In the non-planted regions, a soil structure with a coarse texture is deliberately maintained to enhance the process of water infiltration. In addition to the aforementioned, crop residues might be left on the soil's surface in the spaces between rows of plants. This method is used to reduce water loss due to evaporation and to protect the soil from wind and precipitation.

The fundamental soil tillage operations encompass either soil inversion or fragmentation. Various tillage implements are employed to carry out tillage operations, operating at specific soil depths. The process of soil inversion is most effectively executed through the utilization of a moldboard plow, whereas soil loosening can be


#### **Table 1.**

*A comparison between the traditional tillage practices and the innovative tillage practices, the challenges, and the constraints.*

*Enhancing Agriculture through Strategic Tillage and Soil Management: Unleashing Potential… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113038*

accomplished by employing various tillage tools. Rotary cultivators are highly suitable for the purpose of soil mixing, frequently employed for the integration of soil fertilizer and organic amendments into the soil. The presence of plant residues has the potential to impede the functionality of certain tillage implements. In agricultural practices, coulters or disks are frequently employed to effectively sever or redirect crop residue from the immediate tillage zone. The occurrence of frequent or intense vehicular movement within the agricultural area can result in the compaction of the subsoil, which refers to the soil located beneath the depth at which tillage activities are performed. Subsoiling refers to the application of mechanical techniques aimed at loosening the compacted subsoil, as outlined in remedial tillage operations. To ensure optimal results, it is recommended that the subsoiling operation be conducted when the soil exhibits a friable consistency, thereby minimizing the risk of smearing. A subsoil that has been mechanically loosened exhibits a diminished strength and is susceptible to significant recompaction with relative ease.

### **3. Soil and tillage**

The composition of soil consists of both living and nonliving components that are arranged in a vertical profile, characterized by horizontal layers or horizons. Soil serves as the habitat for a wide variety of living organisms, encompassing a multitude of microscopic species such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods [9]. Mechanically altering the soil's physical condition in order to improve plant growth for human and animal food production is known as tillage. Plant nutrients and crop additives can be worked into the soil during tillage operations including bed preparation, planting, and postemergence cultivation for weed control. Tillage needs change from crop to crop, depending on things like soil composition and weather. Damages to the environment and agricultural production systems may result if the intensity of tillage is not enough for the local conditions [10]. The fundamental soil tillage operations encompass soil inversion or fragmentation, as outlined in **Table 1**. Various tillage tools are utilized to perform these operations, operating at specific soil depths. The process of soil inversion is most effectively executed through the utilization of a moldboard plow, whereas soil loosening can be accomplished by employing various tillage tools. Rotary cultivators are highly suitable for the purpose of soil mixing, commonly employed to incorporate soil fertilizer and organic amendments into the soil. Plant residues have the potential to impede the functionality of certain tillage implements. Coulter blades or disks are frequently employed to effectively sever or redirect crop residue from the immediate tillage area. Frequent or excessive traffic in the field can result in soil compaction in the subsoil, which refers to the soil located beneath the tillage depth. Subsoiling refers to the application of mechanical techniques to alleviate compaction in the subsoil layer (**Figure 1**, **Table 1**). For optimal subsoiling, it is recommended to conduct the operation when the soil has a water content that allows for friability, thus preventing smearing. A subsoil that has been mechanically loosened exhibits diminished strength and is susceptible to significant recompaction (**Figure 2**).

### **4. What is strategic tillage?**

Strategic tillage is an agricultural practice that involves the targeted and deliberate use of tillage operations in specific areas and at specific times to achieve specific goals.

**Figure 2.**

*A pictorial representation of the various tillage operations that provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of soil tillage and the various operations in cultivating soil using conventional, reduced and no-till tillage systems, particularly in relation to plowing [11].*

Tillage refers to the mechanical manipulation of the soil through plowing, digging, or turning it over. The concept of strategic tillage recognizes that excessive or indiscriminate tillage can have negative effects on soil health, such as soil erosion, loss of organic matter, and disruption of soil structure. Therefore, strategic tillage aims to optimize tillage operations to minimize these negative impacts while maximizing the benefits for crop production [12].
