- To control soil erosion – Mulching & cover cropping greatly reduce the chances of erosion
- To maintain soil structure – continuous cultivation destroys soil structures hence should be avoided.
- To prevent conserve moisture – continuous cultivation exposes the soil to the heat of sun thus enhancing evaporation of available moisture
- To prevent exposure of humus to adverse conditions such as sun’s heat that causes volatization of N
- To prevent root disturbance & underground structures.
- To reduce the cost of cultivation /ploughing by reducing the number of operations.