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Questions and Answers
What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation compared to other methods?
What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation compared to other methods?
Which irrigation method has the highest water efficiency percentage?
Which irrigation method has the highest water efficiency percentage?
What is a common issue caused by over-irrigation?
What is a common issue caused by over-irrigation?
Which aspect makes sprinkler systems more expensive than flood or furrow systems?
Which aspect makes sprinkler systems more expensive than flood or furrow systems?
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What is the result of waterlogging due to excessive irrigation?
What is the result of waterlogging due to excessive irrigation?
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What is the effect of contour plowing on soil erosion?
What is the effect of contour plowing on soil erosion?
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What is the purpose of using windbreaks in sustainable agriculture?
What is the purpose of using windbreaks in sustainable agriculture?
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What is a primary benefit of terrace farming?
What is a primary benefit of terrace farming?
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What type of irrigation involves filling small ditches with water around crops?
What type of irrigation involves filling small ditches with water around crops?
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What is a major drawback of flood irrigation?
What is a major drawback of flood irrigation?
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What practice involves growing different crops in strips that may alternate yearly?
What practice involves growing different crops in strips that may alternate yearly?
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What advantage does intercropping provide?
What advantage does intercropping provide?
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Which irrigation method loses approximately 20% of water to evaporation?
Which irrigation method loses approximately 20% of water to evaporation?
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How do the practices of tilling and plowing influence erosion?
How do the practices of tilling and plowing influence erosion?
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Which of the following is NOT a method of reducing soil erosion?
Which of the following is NOT a method of reducing soil erosion?
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Contour plowing involves following the contours of the topography when plowing the field.
Contour plowing involves following the contours of the topography when plowing the field.
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What is the main purpose of terracing?
What is the main purpose of terracing?
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Windbreaks are structures, often trees, that are used to slow down wind flow across the fields, reducing wind damage to crops and erosion of dirt.
Windbreaks are structures, often trees, that are used to slow down wind flow across the fields, reducing wind damage to crops and erosion of dirt.
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Which of the following practices involves growing different crops in strips that are alternated each year in crop rotation?
Which of the following practices involves growing different crops in strips that are alternated each year in crop rotation?
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Describe the practice of intercropping and its benefits.
Describe the practice of intercropping and its benefits.
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Cover crops are plants that are grown for the purpose of harvesting and are frequently used during the off-season of fields.
Cover crops are plants that are grown for the purpose of harvesting and are frequently used during the off-season of fields.
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What percentage of freshwater around the world is used for irrigation?
What percentage of freshwater around the world is used for irrigation?
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What are some of the negative impacts of using too much irrigation?
What are some of the negative impacts of using too much irrigation?
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Which of the following irrigation methods involves completely filling the field with water?
Which of the following irrigation methods involves completely filling the field with water?
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Furrow irrigation is a more precise method of delivering water to crops compared to flood irrigation.
Furrow irrigation is a more precise method of delivering water to crops compared to flood irrigation.
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Which irrigation method is known for its high water efficiency but can be very expensive to set up?
Which irrigation method is known for its high water efficiency but can be very expensive to set up?
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Pivot systems in spray irrigation stay in place, while sprinkler systems move across the field.
Pivot systems in spray irrigation stay in place, while sprinkler systems move across the field.
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Study Notes
Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture
- Irrigation is the process of adding water to fields for crop growth.
- 70% of freshwater globally is used for irrigation.
- 80% of cultivated land is used for rainfed agriculture.
- 60% of the food we eat comes from rainfed agriculture.
- 40% of calories consumed are from irrigated places.
Tilling and Plowing's Impact on Erosion
- Tilling and plowing practices affect soil erosion.
Methods of Reducing Soil Erosion
- Contour Plowing: Following the land's contours when plowing. This reduces runoff and erosion.
- Terracing: Transforming sloped land into leveled steps, enabling farming on steeper landscapes and reducing erosion.
- Windbreaks: Using structures (often trees) to slow down wind speed, protecting crops and preventing soil erosion. Windbreaks significantly reduce wind damage and erosion.
- Strip Cropping: Alternating different crops in strips. This helps prevent large-scale pest and disease outbreaks.
- Intercropping: Growing multiple crops together. Examples include corn supporting beans for nitrogen and squash shading to control weeds.
- Cover Crops: Planting crops to cover exposed soil, preventing erosion and nutrient loss during off-seasons. Cover crops stabilize soil and hold moisture, especially in fall, winter, and spring.
Irrigation Methods
- Flood Irrigation: Completely flooding the field with water, supporting water-loving crops like rice. However, it leads to 20% water loss due to evaporation and high waterlogging risks (saturated soil), leading to oxygen-deprived conditions and potential root rot. Irrigation also increases the risk of soil salinization.
- Furrow Irrigation: Using small ditches filled with water around crops on raised beds. Less expensive but less efficient than other methods. Produces ~33% water loss to evaporation. Works better for non-sandy soils.
- Spray Irrigation: Water is sprayed into the air, falling on crops like rain. It's more expensive than flood or furrow irrigation, and uses fossil fuels. Considered a medium-efficiency method with ~25% water loss to evaporation. Sprinkler and pivot systems are types of spray irrigation.
- Drip Irrigation: Water is delivered directly to crop roots via garden hoses with holes. While most efficient (2-5% water loss to evaporation), it is very expensive to set up and maintain. Rodents and clogs can also be significant issues.
Comparing Irrigation Methods
- Efficiency, energy usage, and setup costs vary significantly between different irrigation methods (see summary table).
Issues with Excessive Irrigation
- Depletion of Aquifers: Excessive water use depletes groundwater resources. Using water faster than it replenishes can lead to depletion of aquifers such as the Ogallala.
- Waterlogging: Over-saturation of the soil leads to anaerobic conditions that reduce plant gas exchange. Waterlogging weakens and can kill plants.
- Salinization: As water evaporates, salts accumulate in the soil. Higher salt content in water and higher evaporation rates speed up salinization, making soil unsuitable for plant growth.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of irrigation, sustainable agriculture practices, and the impact of tilling on soil erosion. Explore various methods for reducing soil erosion, such as contour plowing, terracing, and windbreaks. Test your knowledge on how these practices contribute to sustainable farming and food production.
