Which type of tillage is associated with burying weed seeds deeply?

Conventional tillage is a method characterized by the complete turning over of the topsoil, which often involves plowing and harrowing. This process effectively buries weed seeds deeply in the soil. By disturbing the soil to a significant extent, conventional tillage can disrupt the seed bank of weeds, burying their seeds at a depth where they may be less likely to germinate. This can temporarily reduce weed populations by controlling their ability to emerge and compete with crops.

In contrast, no-till practices involve leaving the soil undisturbed, which allows weed seeds to stay on the surface, making them more likely to germinate. Conservation tillage and minimal tillage also involve less disturbance than conventional tillage, allowing some weed seeds to remain closer to the surface. These methods are primarily focused on reducing soil erosion and maintaining soil health, rather than burying weed seeds deeply. Therefore, the association of conventional tillage with deep burial of weed seeds distinguishes it from other tillage practices.