EN
In the period from 1995 to 1998, tests were carried out on some physical soil properties and crop yields in rotation to determine simplified tillage systems. The investigations included traditional tillage (TT), minimum tillage (MT) and zero tillage (ZT). On the basis of the results obtained, it was found that in those years with precipitation and temperature distribution favourable to plant vegetation, the tillage simplifications MT and ZT did not bring about any decrease in maize or oat yields. The course of the weather having been unfavourable to the growth of plants (deficit of precipitation, severe winter), those plots tilled in the simplified way yielded about 20% less (winter wheat 1995/96 and 1997/98) than those under traditional cultivation. The superiority of the simplification of cultivation lay primarily, in the reduced labour required and in the organisational convenience of the running of the farms. Additionally, the simplifications applied to the tilling contributed to increased bulk density and the penetration resistance of the soil. As a consequence, water supplies deteriorated, particularly in periods with precipitation deficits. It could be argued that the simplifications analysed - when compared to traditional soil cultivation - intensified the negative effects resulting from the precipitation deficit.