Tillage alters soil physical and chemical properties which affect soil water storage and movement, and root growth. Reduced tillage (RT) maintains crop residues on the soil surface and increases water infiltration, but may increase the soil bulk density. A long term cropping systems study was used to determine the effect of reduced and conventional tillage on the ability of soils to store moisture and on root growth and crop yield of cotton. Roots were sampled twice during the growing season for determination of root length and weight to a depth of 0.9 m at four locations: in the raw, and at 15, 30, and 45 cm from the row. Lint yield was significantly higher in RT plots. Total root length was similar for RT and CT for both sampling dates, however root distribution varied between RT and CT.