Approaches to model the impact of tillage implements on soil physical and nutrient properties in different agro-ecosystem models

•Tillage operations influence soil physical and nutrient properties.•The tillage submodules in 16 agro-ecosystem models are reviewed.•Compares the process descriptions of tillage operations and parametrization.•Most models consider changes in bulk density after tillage operations.•Tillage effect on organic matter decomposition rates remain empirical in all models.