For sustainable agricultural production, we propose bio-tillage, which is defined as improving soil structure with plant roots to boost the growth of crops, in this paper. Cover crops with thick and deep roots can be used for bio-tillage since they can effectively improve soil structure and water and air conductivity by forming biopores (root channels), which provide space with the least resistance and a high level of oxygen and nutrients to promote root growth. The effect of bio-tillage on crop yields varies with climate conditions and management practices. An effective bio-tillage cover crop should have thick and deep roots with rapid root growth rates, rapid decomposition of remnant roots, and good adaption to climate and soil constraints. Planting cover crops in a timely manner and eliminating them at a suitable stage with a roller-crimper can benefit bio-tillage. The limited understanding of ideal biopore architecture for root growth, more effective bio-tillage cover crop species, and field management of bio-tillage, needs to be addressed before a wide application of bio-tillage.

为了实现可持续的农业生产，我们提出了生物耕作法，即通过植物根部改良土壤结构以促进农作物生长。根系较深的有盖作物可用于生物耕作，因为它们可以通过形成生物孔（根系通道）来有效改善土壤结构以及水和空气的传导性，从而提供最小的抵抗力和高水平的氧气和养分，促进根系生长。生物耕作对作物产量的影响随气候条件和管理实践而变化。一个有效的生物耕作覆盖作物应具有厚而深的根系，且根系生长速度快，残留根系快速分解，并能很好地适应气候和土壤限制。及时播种有盖作物，并在适当的时期使用滚筒收割机将其清除，这对生物耕作有利。在广泛应用生物耕作之前，需要解决对根部生长的理想生物孔结构，更有效的生物耕作覆盖作物物种以及生物耕作的田间管理的了解有限。