Identify the farming practice that avoids tillage.

No tillage is a farming practice that avoids tillage entirely. This method preserves the soil structure and enhances soil health by minimizing disruption to the soil layers. By bypassing the tillage process, no tillage allows for better water retention, reduced soil erosion, and improved organic matter retention, which can lead to healthier crops over time.

The absence of tillage also creates a more stable environment for soil organisms, which can promote beneficial microbial activity and enhance nutrient cycling. This practice is particularly beneficial in reducing weed competition since the crops are planted directly into the undisturbed soil.

In contrast, conventional tillage and intensive tillage involve significant soil disturbance through plowing and turning of the soil, while reduced tillage still involves some level of soil disturbance but to a lesser degree than conventional practices. These alternatives can lead to issues like soil erosion and loss of organic matter, which are minimized in a no-till system.