Relevance. The article presents a comparative analysis of methods of basic tillage-classical dump plowing and technologies of minimal and no-till tillage. Question about the benefits of minimum and zero tillage on intensive up to the present time remains controversial. However, minimum and zero tillage systems are becoming increasingly common in the world as a response to increasing degradation and reduced soil productivity.Methods. Various publications on this topic were analyzed. Various

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... es show mixed results.Results. The analysis shows the following advantages of minimum and zero processing: costeffectiveness; prevention of soil erosion; maintaining fertility in the upper soil layer; preservation of soil moisture and vertical soil structure. The use of resource-saving technologies can not only preserve soil fertility and reduce the economic costs of its cultivation, but also prevent the degradation of farmland caused by erosion processes. Resource-saving technologies mean not only the abandonment of annual moldboard plowing, but also leaving crop residues on the field, the use of integrated weed control measures, the use of scientifically based crop rotations. Failure to meet these conditions will negate the effectiveness of minimum tillage. Minimum processing continuity is of particular importance. Any soil cultivation in the transitional phase means a return to the initial phase, and this should not be allowed. To ensure high productivity of resource-saving technologies, it is necessary to apply a well-grounded crop rotation system. An important factor in the use of resource-saving technologies in agriculture is economic efficiency. As experience shows, at the same yield level (20 cwt / ha), profitability with resource-saving technologies reaches 93.7%, while with a usual one — 55.4%. A comparative analysis of the methods of basic tillage shows that the advantages of minimal and no tillage are possible only in the presence of a high culture of agriculture. These advantages are as follows: cost-effectiveness; prevention of soil erosion; maintaining fertility in the upper soil layer; preservation of soil moisture and vertical soil structure.