In order to examine the effect of alternative tillage practices on crop yield

water conservation and soil loss

a field study was conducted over a period of 6 years.On field plots near Luoyang(Henan province) the following tillage practices were applied: reduced tillage

no-tillage

subsoiling and conventional tillage.Rainfall simulation experiments were done to examine the effect of tillage on runoff and soil losses.Negligible runoff amounts were observed on the no-tillage plot.Long-term tillage practices did not have significant effects on the saturated hydraulic conductivity.Comparing runoff occurred at same plot under different situation found that both antecedent soil moisture content and rainfall intensity significantly influenced the rate of runoff.No-tillage showed the best effect on soil and water conservation.Subsoiling reduced runoff and soil losses by more than 50% and 90% respectively

compared to conventional tillage.Although soil losses under reduced tillage decreased by half compared to conventional tillage

the differences in runoff amounts were small.No-tillage and Subsoiling had similar beneficial effect on water conservation under natural rainfall;however

it only took effect after two years consecutive practices.Reduced tillage had a negative effect on the runoff compared to conventional tillage.For every year of the field trial period

subsoiling was found to give the highest yields.On average

an increase of 9.4% was observed compared to conventional tillage.The effects of no-tillage on the yield were not uniform.No-tillage could increase yield except rain rich year

while a slightly lower yield was found under reduced tillage.Because yield is an important criterion in promoting alternative tillage practices towards farmers

subsoiling can be regarded as a promising measure to improve soil and water conservation in the eastern loess plateau of china.