Question

Why do farmers plough their field during summer?

Answer 1

Hint: During summer the upper crust of the soil becomes dry, lacks nutrients and moisture whereas the soil present below the upper crust is rich in moisture and nutrients. Ploughing ensures proper mixing of the soil.

Complete answer:
The top layer of the soil becomes dry and is not suitable for the crop cultivation during summer. So, many specialised and advanced tools were utilised to plough the field during summer to make the soil suitable for the cultivation.
Ploughing during the summer is a crucial agronomic measure to make sure that there is a better field condition. Ploughing also prepares the field for the subsequent farming cycle. The upper crust of the dry soil is removed and is accompanied by deep ploughing as well as overturning of the soil underneath the top crust. This method offers major benefits like increasing the infiltration capacity and permeability of the soil by breaking the hard-upper crust of soil. Increased infiltration allows better conservation of moisture which may later be easily accessed by the plant’s root.
The tillage improves aeration. Tillage allows better degradation of harmful herbicide, pesticide residues, and aids in the growth of microorganisms which successively degrade other organic matter. Summer ploughing ensures that the rays of the hot sun reaches the deep soil and hence works as a natural disinfectant by destroying the harmful bacteria and fungi, it also kills the eggs, larvae and pupae of hibernating insects and pests. The amount and depth of the ploughing depend upon the weed intensity and the climate.

Note: Tillage springs from the words Tilian and Teolian which mean ‘to plough and therefore the preparation of soil to sow seed, and crop cultivation. Jethro Tull is usually referred to as ‘Father of Tillage’ and has stated that complete ploughing is important to form the soil into finer particles which are good for cultivation.