The GHG balance of agriculture can be improved by increasing the storage of carbon in the form of organic matter, that is to say from CO2 captured by plants and soil. This storage can be increased by greater soil refunds of organic matter, but also by cultural practices that delay their mineralization and thus increase their storage time in the soil. The abandonment of plowing is deemed to have this effect. By eliminating an operation requiring a high traction force, it also allows a saving of fossil energy.

Plowing being defined by the fact that it realizes a turnaround of the soil, the No-Till techniques encompass all practices that do not operate such a reversal. They are very diverse, from very superficial plowing to a strict no-till, and will have different impacts.