What is an example of an agricultural planting practice that involves no plowing?

No-till agriculture is a planting practice that eliminates the need for plowing. In this method, crops are planted directly into the soil without disturbing the soil structure through traditional plowing or tilling. This approach helps to preserve soil moisture, reduce erosion, and maintain soil health by allowing organic matter to remain on the surface, which supports microbial life and improves soil fertility over time.

By avoiding plowing, no-till practices also minimize soil compaction and promote better water infiltration. This method is particularly beneficial in sustainable farming as it can lead to reduced fuel and labor costs, while also helping to sequester carbon, thus contributing to climate change mitigation. In contrast, the other practices listed, such as conventional tillage and plow till, involve some degree of soil disturbance that contradicts the principles of no-till farming. Double cropping, while an efficient planting strategy, does not specifically address the method of soil preparation.