The results of an investigation on the effect of surface tillage and n
o tillage on the agriculture-related physical and mechanical propertie
s and structure of the humic horizon are discussed. It was found that
long-term minimum tillage need not be curtailed because of its effect
on the physical properties of the soil. No-till farming has a more ben
eficial effect on the structure of most of the plow layer than traditi
onal methods, but because the surface layer is compacted more than is
desirable, the seedbed (topmost) soil layer should be cultivated when
planting grains and row crops.