In the past several decades,the conservation tillage techniques in the Loess Plateau has evolved from single translating and imitating advanced foreign technology into specific techniques system combined with the many advantages (distinctive system,strict design according to local condition and advanced developmental idea with gradually inheriting and reform). On the context of global change,the role of conservation tillage techniques is also critical in terms of mitigation of greenhouse emissions in field-scale. Hereby,this paper summarized the design ideas and main contents of conservation tillage techniques in the Loess Plateau,and also illustrated the internal mechanism of the processes of field water ecology and erosion prevention effect under conservation tillage techniques. This paper analyzed emphatically the effect and cause of conservation tillage techniques on soil temperature,soil physical-chemical properties,yield performance and water use efficiency. Finally,this paper pointed out deficiency and limitation of current in aspects of exploitation,demonstration and extension of current conservation tillage techniques in dryland farming in the Loess Plateau. This paper concluded that the conservation tillage techniques combined with ridge-furrow plastic film mulching is main route of dryland farming in the Loess Plateau. All of these aspects were discussed aiming to provide theoretical guidance for sustainable management and sustainable exploitation of rainfed agricultural ecosystem in the Loess Plateau.