overtilled
Farmed too much
Overtilled describes soil that has been plowed or cultivated too frequently or intensively, degrading its structure and fertility.
Excessive tilling breaks down organic matter, compacts lower layers, and leaves topsoil vulnerable to erosion: The overtilled fields had lost most of their nutrients.
The term appears in agricultural and environmental contexts discussing sustainable farming practices.
Inability to reproduce
- barrennessInability to bear fruit
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- depletionReduction of supply
- crop failureWhen fields yield nothing
Single-crop agricultural system
- overexploitationExcessive resource depletion
- mismanagementIncompetent handling of responsibilities
- crop rotationAlternating field plantings yearly
- fallowUnplanted field recovering
Compression of ground particles
- erosionGradual wearing away
- hardpanImpenetrable subsurface stratum
- desiccationComplete removal of moisture
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
salinization · acidification · nutrient depletion · crusting · poor drainage · waterlogging
Turning earth for crops
- diskingCultivating with bladed implement
- harrowsCultivates or agonizes
- cultivatorSoil-turning implement
- plowTool for turning soil
moldboard · seedbed · furrow · tractor · overcultivation · overworking
infertility
Inability to reproduce
- barrennessInability to bear fruit
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- depletionReduction of supply
crop failure · dustbowl · unproductive · sterility · impoverishment
monoculture
Single-crop agricultural system
- overexploitationExcessive resource depletion
- mismanagementIncompetent handling of responsibilities
- crop rotationAlternating field plantings yearly
soil compaction
Compression of ground particles
- erosionGradual wearing away
- hardpanImpenetrable subsurface stratum
- desiccationComplete removal of moisture
leaching · salinization · acidification · nutrient depletion · crusting · poor drainage · waterlogging
plowing
Turning earth for crops
- diskingCultivating with bladed implement
- harrowsCultivates or agonizes
- cultivatorSoil-turning implement
plow · moldboard · seedbed · furrow · tractor · overcultivation · overworking
overtilleduntilled
Not yet cultivated
no-till · uncultivated · unplowed · fallow · undisturbed