Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

Which of the following represents a secondary tillage activity?

1. Moldboard plow

2. Chisel plow

3. Field cultivator

4. Sweep plow

The correct answer is: Field cultivator

A field cultivator is recognized as a secondary tillage tool primarily because its main purpose is to prepare the seedbed after primary tillage operations have been completed. Secondary tillage aims to refine the soil structure, control weeds, and incorporate crop residues into the soil, creating a finer seedbed that promotes good seed-to-soil contact. Unlike the moldboard plow and chisel plow, which are typically involved in primary tillage, the field cultivator works at shallower depths and is more focused on surface-level soil management. This makes it an essential implement in the overall process of crop establishment, improving soil environment for optimal seed germination and growth. The sweep plow, while sometimes categorized similarly, primarily functions to cut through the soil rather than to prepare a seedbed in the same manner as a field cultivator does.