plow

A plow, or plough in British English, is an agricultural implement used for primary tillage. Its main purpose is to cut, lift, and turn over the upper layer of soil to bury weeds and crop residues, improve soil aeration, and create a seedbed for sowing. Modern plows are usually attached to tractors, but historically they were drawn by animals such as horses or oxen.

A typical plow consists of several parts. The share or plowshare is the cutting edge that enters the soil. The moldboard then lifts and turns the soil, inverting a slice to form a furrow. A coulter may be fitted to cut through residue ahead of the cutting edge, and the landside helps keep the plow aligned along the furrow. Some plows also include adjustments for depth, width, and angle, and may be designed for different crops or soil conditions.

Types vary by mechanism and purpose. Moldboard plows are the traditional turning plows that invert soil. Disk plows use concave disks to cut and flip soil and can handle residue better in some conditions. Chisel plows loosen and break up compacted soil without full inversion, often used in conservation tillage. Reversible plows can plow in both directions from the same furrow.

History and use have evolved with technology. Wooden plows were common in ancient agriculture, while iron and then steel versions improved durability and efficiency. The advent of the tractor and features such as the three-point hitch expanded plowing capabilities and depth control, shaping modern farming practices.