Conservation tillage practices like chisel plough and zero tillage can help improve crop productivity and reduce nitrogen losses in dryland farming. A study in China found that compared to traditional ploughing, chisel plough and zero tillage significantly decreased nitrogen emissions and leaching, while increasing crop yield and nitrogen uptake. Although these practices increased ammonia volatilization, overall nitrogen losses were reduced. Chisel plough tillage was particularly effective in increasing soil nitrogen content and improving sustainability by enhancing nitrogen removal from crops and decreasing nitrogen losses through emissions and leaching.