Question

A farmer has been growing the same crops in his field summer and winter, year after year. Over time, the soil has lost a lot of its minerals, and the yields are reduced. Which solution would best help the farmer improve his yields?
A.
Divide the field into two parts, growing a variety of summer crops in one part and different winter crops in the second part.
B.
Divide his field into three parts, growing summer crops in the first part, winter crops in the second, and leaving the third fallow.
C.
Divide his field into three parts, growing winter crops in two parts and summer crops in one part.
D.
Leave the entire field fallow for a few years so that the soil can replenish itself.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Leave the entire field fallow for few years so that the soil can replenish itself

Explanation:

If the farmer has been using its land extensively for longer period of time, planting both summer and winter crops, the farmer should leave the land fallow for few years. The reason for this is that the minerals in the soil have been depleted, as it has been used throughout the whole year, not having part of the year to replenish the minerals. By leaving the soil to fallow for few years, the soil will have enough time to replenish its minerals, thus return its fertility. The farmer can of course help in this process, leaving lot of biomass to on the soil, plow it to get the biomass deeper into it, and repeat that throughout the few years of fallow before the soil is used again.