SOIL TILTH - A REVIEW OF PAST PERCEPTIONS AND FUTURE-NEEDS

The concept of soil tilth has many facets, ranging from the relatively simple effects of tillage to the physical condition of the soil created by integrating the effects of all physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring within a soil matrix. The objectives of this review are to examine historical perceptions of soil tilth, review research conducted to address soil tilth, and identify research needed to quantitatively understand soil tilth to improve management of our nation's soil and water resources. The four sections of the review trace the origin of the term, summarize research conducted prior to 1955, discuss research since 1955, and present some of the unsolved soil tilth research goals and needs. Several soil and water management problems such as surface and groundwater quality, soil erosion, productivity, and long-term sustainability are discussed.