Which of the following agricultural practices reduces erosion, water runoff, and soil degradation?
A.
intensive weeding
B.
residue removal
C.
residue burning
D.
conventional tillage
E.
no tillage or ridge tillage
E. no tillage or ridge tillage
The agricultural practice that can help reduce erosion, water runoff, and soil degradation is "no tillage or ridge tillage". To understand why this practice is beneficial, let's break down the options and explore how each one affects the soil.
A. Intensive weeding is important for managing weeds, but it does not directly address erosion, water runoff, or soil degradation.
B. Residue removal involves clearing organic matter, such as crop residues, from the field. This practice can lead to increased erosion, as there is less natural ground cover to protect the soil and absorb rainfall.
C. Residue burning involves setting fire to crop residues. Although it may temporarily clear the field, it has detrimental effects on the soil. Burning residues can destroy organic matter and disrupt the soil's natural structure, increasing the risk of soil degradation.
D. Conventional tillage is a common practice that involves plowing and turning over the soil. While this technique may be effective for weed control and preparing the soil for planting, it can significantly increase erosion and water runoff as it disrupts the soil structure and exposes it to the elements.
E. No tillage or ridge tillage is an agricultural practice where the soil is left undisturbed or minimally disturbed during planting. By not tilling the soil, it helps to preserve the natural structure and organic matter. This reduces soil erosion, water runoff, and soil degradation as the soil remains more intact, allowing it to better absorb rainfall and reducing the loss of topsoil.
Therefore, the correct answer is option E: no tillage or ridge tillage.