To understand the effects of conservation tillage on crop production and regional distribution of conservation tillage research in China, we analyzed the relevant research from 2006 to March 2019 and summarized our findings herein. Our investigation indicated that, among all research papers regarding conservation tillage, the percentages of reported yield increase, no effect, and yield reduction were 60.96%、24.32% and 14.72%, respectively. The effect of conservation tillage on crop production was distinct in different regions: yields were mostly increased in Northeast China（77%）; while yields were either not affected or reduced at a considerable proportion in the Huanghuaihai（32%） and North China Plains（22%）. Among different practices of conservation tillage, straw treatment studies accounted for more than 60%, and reduced or no-tillage were less studied. Wheat, maize and rice remain the main research subjects for conservation tillage, with more than 78% of studies focusing on these three crops. In addition, no-tillage caused the most yield reduction in all protective tillage measures.