Tillage is one of the major practices that reduce the organic matter level in the soil. Each time the soil is tilled, it is aerated. As the decomposition of organic matter and the liberation of C are aerobic processes, the oxygen stimulates or speeds up the action of soil microbes, which feed on organic matter. Tillage increases the oxygen content of the soil, stimulates soil microbes to decompose soil organic matter and breaks up soil structure that can protect organic matter from decomposition. Practices such as conservation tillage, forages in the crop rotation, and the addition of crop residues and livestock manure can maintain or increase soil organic matter content over time.Tillage is one of the major practices that reduce the organic matter level in the soil. Each time the soil is tilled, it is aerated. As the decomposition of organic matter and the liberation of C are aerobic processes, the oxygen stimulates or speeds up the action of soil microbes, which feed on organic matter. Since tillage fractures the soil, it disrupts soil structure, accelerating surface runoff and soil erosion. Tillage also reduces crop residue, which help cushion the force of pounding raindrops. Without crop residue, soil particles become more easily dislodged, being moved or 'splashed' away.

Repetitive tillage degrades the soil structure and its potential to hold moisture, reduces the amount of organic matter in the soil, breaks up aggregates, and reduces the population of soil fauna such as earthworms that contribute to nutrient cycling and soil structure. It has been well documented that increased tillage intensities can reduce soil organic matter in the topsoil due to increased microbial activity and carbon (C) oxidation. The potential loss of soil organic matter due to tillage operations is much higher for high organic matter soils than low organic matter soils. Tillage disturbance changes the conditions of decomposition, causing the soil respiration rate to increase and the organic matter content to decrease. However, tillage has all along been contributing negatively to soil quality. Since tillage fractures the soil, it disrupts soil structure, accelerating surface runoff and soil erosion. Tillage also reduces crop residue, which help cushion the force of pounding raindrops.Reduced tillage reduction can enhance soil aggregation, promote biological activity, and increase water holding capacity and infiltration rates. This leads to greater available soil moisture, improved soil tilth, and increased organic matter content. The bulk density increased with time after tillage for all tillage treatments as the soil gradually get compacted under the influence of rainfall and particle resettlement. Tillage alters the physicochemical properties of soil by mixing the upper fertile profile with the lower profile rich in leachates and affecting the soil enzymes. It also influences the soil organic carbon and distribution of water and aeration in the soil profile. Deep tillage may improve crop resilience by affecting soil physical properties. Deep tillage led to lower bulk density and increased root growth. Crop water availability and crop yield were not affected by deep tillage.

Healthy soils produce healthy crops that in turn nourish people and animals. Indeed, soil quality is directly linked to food quality and quantity. Soils supply the essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support that our food-producing plants need to grow and flourish. The most effective technique to improve soil fertility is to incorporate a variety of organic matter. To begin with, manure must be added to give nitrogen, which is a necessary component of productive soil. In this case, manure from farm animals is an excellent choice. A healthy soil provides many functions that support plant growth, including nutrient cycling, biological control of plant pests, and regulation of water and air supply. Improving the soil with plenty of organic matter in the form of compost helps drainage and aeration on heavy soils and conserves essential moisture on light ones. On the veg patch or areas of bare soil, consider growing green manures these are seedling crops that are dug back in to enrich the soil. Repetitive tillage degrades the soil structure and its potential to hold moisture, reduces the amount of organic matter in the soil, breaks up aggregates, and reduces the population of soil fauna such as earthworms that contribute to nutrient cycling and soil structure. It has been well documented that increased tillage intensities can reduce soil organic matter in the topsoil due to increased microbial activity and carbon (C) oxidation. The potential loss of soil organic matter due to tillage operations is much higher for high organic matter soils than low organic matter soils. Producers reaching this point may experience high erosion rates and degradation of topsoil, where nearly all organic matter is located. Removal of topsoil by erosion contributes to a loss of inherent soil fertility levels. It has been observed that sub soiling tillage treatment can effectively break the plow pan of cultivated land soil, improve soil structure and increase soil porosity and water retention capacity. Tillage disturbance changes the conditions of decomposition, causing the soil respiration rate to increase and the organic matter content to decrease. However, our results do not reflect these changes, possibly because conservation tillage alleviated this disturbance to some extent. Tillage can cause the loss of significant amounts of carbon immediately after tillage. The exposure of soil organic carbon to aeration during soil erosion increases CO2 emissions. In addition, soil erosion can cause carbon to accumulate with soil sediments and be removed from the soil carbon pool.

Tillage is the mechanical manipulation of soil. Tillage practices incorporates organic matter into the soil. This practice creates aeration in the compact soil which helps in decomposition of organic matter in the soil with the help of microbes. So it can be said that tillage practices reduces the organic matter in soil.

Yes the additon of organic matter in the soil improve soil health and quality. The addition of organic matter increases the water holding capacity of soil. It enhances the microbial population of the soil. These microbes by decomposing the OM makes nutrient available and thereby increasing crop quality.

Dr Muskan Porwal thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Organic matter plays a significant role in crop production and soil health by improving physical, chemical, and biological functions in the soil. Increasing levels of organic matter aid in soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient mineralization, biological activity, and water and air infiltration rates. Properties influenced by organic matter include: soil structure; moisture holding capacity; diversity and activity of soil organisms, both those that are beneficial and harmful to crop production; and nutrient availability. Inherent factors affecting soil organic matter include climate and soil texture and clay mineralogy. Climatic conditions, such as rainfall and temperature, and soil moisture and aeration affect the rate of organic matter decomposition. Addition of organic matter generally reduces density, improves aggregation and structure, and promotes biologic activity, and moderates soil temperature and hydrologic processes. Soil organic matter significantly improves the soil's capacity to store and supply essential nutrients and to retain toxic elements. It allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose faster. Repetitive tillage degrades the soil structure and its potential to hold moisture, reduces the amount of organic matter in the soil, breaks up aggregates, and reduces the population of soil fauna such as earthworms that contribute to nutrient cycling and soil structure. Tillage increases the oxygen content of the soil, stimulates soil microbes to decompose soil organic matter and breaks up soil structure that can protect organic matter from decomposition. No tillage increases soil organic carbon storage and decreases carbon dioxide emission in the crop residue-returned farming system. Tillage can cause the loss of significant amounts of carbon immediately after tillage. The exposure of soil organic carbon to aeration during soil erosion increases CO2 emissions. In addition, soil erosion can cause carbon to accumulate with soil sediments and be removed from the soil carbon pool. It has been well documented that increased tillage intensities can reduce soil organic matter in the topsoil due to increased microbial activity and carbon (C ) oxidation. The potential loss of soil organic matter due to tillage operations is much higher for high organic matter soils than low organic matter soils. Conventional tillage can significantly change the structure and function of soil microbial community, especially the biochemical process dominated by bacteria, enhance the mineralization rate of carbon and nitrogen, and lead to the loss of soil nutrients and organic matter.