Abstract: The paper aims to make recommendations on suitable tillage managements through experiments in northwestern Shanxi. Based on measurement and analysis of soil bulk density, field capacity, saturated water content, profile soil water content and maize production, the authors studied the effect of different tillage managements on soil physical properties and economic benefits of corn. The results showed that: compared with conventional tillage (CT), NTS significantly reduced the soil bulk density in 0-5 cm soil depth. To some extent, CTF and CTA treatment could reduce the soil bulk density as well. NTS could increase 0-10 cm soil field capacity, CTA had a stabilizing effect on the field capacity variations. However, the field capacity under CTF was relatively low. Similarly, saturated water contents under different tillage treatments had similar changes as the field capacity, NTS had the best saturated and water-holding capacity, whereas the CTF had the worst capacity. The soil water contents in 10-50 cm soil depth under CTF and CTA were higher than those under other tillage managements. The soil water content under NTS was more stable in the whole corn growing season than those under other tillage managements. The economic benefits followed the order: CTF>CTA>CT>NTS. The study showed that CTA process might be used as a more appropriate farming method in northwestern Shanxi for long-term study.