cultivation, tilling or manipulation of the soil, done primarily to eliminate weeds that compete with crops for water and nutrients. Cultivation may be used in crusted soils to increase soil aeration and infiltration of water; it may also be used to move soil to or away from plants as desired. Cultivation among crop plants is best kept at a minimum; excessive cultivation can be harmful as it may cause root pruning and loss of soil water due to increased evaporation.

In agriculture, cultivation is the process of growing plants (specifically crops) on arable land. It is usually associated with large-scale agriculture, as opposed to small-scale gardening. Cultivation requires fertile soil, water (from irrigation or precipitation), and seeds. Cultivation usually begins with sowing of the seeds in the appropriate season. In the process of cultivation a farmer may be required to till the land, control weeds, and ultimately harvest the crops. In the modern age, this practice has been perfected into the professional art of agronomy, where it is analyzed by specialized agronomists to maximize efficiency.