Conservation tillage systems are designed to prevent soil erosion by leaving a protection cover of residue on the surface. In order to maintain this cover, the number of tillage operations is reduced and there is less mixing of the soil. Soils in conservation tillage are cooler, wetter, more firm, and higher in organic matter near the surface than in conventional tillage. Fertilizer nutrients tend to concentrate near the soil surface. These soil property changes affect root growth and nutrient availability. In general, fertilization has not been a major problem in no-till systems. Surface broadcast applications of fertilizer based on soil test have maintained no-till cotton yields at levels equal to yields from conventional tillage in long term tests. There are some indications that no-till cotton may be more responsive to certain placement practices, but these practices are not necessary to maintain production levels equal to conventional tillage. In the future, environmental concerns may encourage more injection of fertilizer in no-till.