Irrigation and Erosion Management
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary advantage of drip irrigation compared to other methods?

  • Higher evaporation loss
  • Direct delivery to crop roots (correct)
  • Less energy efficiency
  • Lower setup cost

Which irrigation method has the highest water efficiency percentage?

  • Drip irrigation (correct)
  • Spray irrigation
  • Furrow irrigation
  • Flood irrigation

What is a common issue caused by over-irrigation?

  • Aquifer depletion (correct)
  • Reduced evaporation rates
  • Increased crop yield
  • Decreased soil salinity

Which aspect makes sprinkler systems more expensive than flood or furrow systems?

<p>Use of fossil fuel machinery (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of waterlogging due to excessive irrigation?

<p>Oxygen depletion in the soil (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of contour plowing on soil erosion?

<p>Reduces runoff and erosion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using windbreaks in sustainable agriculture?

<p>To slow down wind flow and reduce erosion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of terrace farming?

<p>Allows farming on steep landscapes and slows runoff (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of irrigation involves filling small ditches with water around crops?

<p>Furrow irrigation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major drawback of flood irrigation?

<p>High risk of waterlogging and salinization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What practice involves growing different crops in strips that may alternate yearly?

<p>Strip cropping (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does intercropping provide?

<p>Helps to shade out weeds and adds nitrogen (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which irrigation method loses approximately 20% of water to evaporation?

<p>Flood irrigation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the practices of tilling and plowing influence erosion?

<p>The practices of tilling and plowing can increase erosion, making the soil more susceptible to being carried away by wind or water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method of reducing soil erosion?

<p>Clear cutting (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Contour plowing involves following the contours of the topography when plowing the field.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of terracing?

<p>Terracing is a method of transforming slopes into a series of steps, creating flat places to farm. It allows cultivation on steep landscapes and slows runoff and erosion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices involves growing different crops in strips that are alternated each year in crop rotation?

<p>Strip cropping (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the practice of intercropping and its benefits.

<p>Intercropping involves growing multiple crops alongside or on top of each other. This practice can provide several benefits, including: supporting the growth of other crops, adding nitrogen to the soil, and shading out weeds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cover crops are plants that are grown for the purpose of harvesting and are frequently used during the off-season of fields.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of freshwater around the world is used for irrigation?

<p>70% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the negative impacts of using too much irrigation?

<p>Over-irrigation can lead to several negative impacts, including depletion of aquifers, waterlogging of the soil, and salinization of the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following irrigation methods involves completely filling the field with water?

<p>Flood irrigation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Furrow irrigation is a more precise method of delivering water to crops compared to flood irrigation.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which irrigation method is known for its high water efficiency but can be very expensive to set up?

<p>Drip irrigation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pivot systems in spray irrigation stay in place, while sprinkler systems move across the field.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Irrigation Efficiency

A measure of how effectively water is used for irrigation, expressed as a percentage.

Drip Irrigation

A method of irrigation where water is delivered directly to plant roots through a network of pipes and emitters.

Waterlogging

A condition where the soil becomes oversaturated with water, preventing proper gas exchange for plant roots and causing damage or death.

Salinization

The buildup of salts in soil due to irrigation, making the soil unsuitable for plant growth.

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Aquifer Depletion

Using groundwater faster than it can be replenished, leading to a decrease in the aquifer's water supply.

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Contour Plowing

Farming along the land's natural slopes, reducing water runoff and erosion.

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Terracing

Creating flat steps on hillsides to make farming possible on sloping land, decreasing soil erosion.

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Windbreaks

Using trees or other structures to block wind and reduce wind damage and soil erosion.

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Strip Cropping

Alternating different crops in strips to prevent pest outbreaks and reduce erosion.

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Intercropping

Growing multiple crops together to improve soil health and potentially reduce pests.

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Cover Crops

Planting crops to cover soil in fallow seasons, preventing erosion and nutrient loss.

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Flood Irrigation

Completely submerging fields in water for irrigation.

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Spray Irrigation

Using sprinklers to apply water to crops like rain.

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Pesticide

A chemical substance used to kill or control pests like insects, fungi, rodents, or weeds.

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Herbicide

A type of pesticide that specifically targets and kills plants.

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Fungicide

A type of pesticide that kills fungi.

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Rodenticide

A type of pesticide that kills rodents, like rats and mice.

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Insecticide

A type of pesticide that kills insects.

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Broad Spectrum Pesticide

A type of pesticide that kills a wide range of pest species.

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Narrow Spectrum Pesticide

A type of pesticide that specifically targets and kills only a few types of pests.

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How Monocropping Increases Pest Pressure

Planting the same crop repeatedly in a large area creates an ideal environment for pests to thrive, leading to increased pest populations.

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Pesticide Resistance

Pests develop the ability to survive exposure to a particular pesticide, rendering it ineffective.

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Pesticide Treadmill

The cycle of developing new pesticides to combat resistant pests, leading to a continuous arms race between humans and pests.

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Persistent Pesticides

Pesticides that break down slowly in the environment, remaining for years or decades, polluting soil, water, and organisms.

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Traditional Pesticides and Runoff

Traditional pesticides are more likely to be washed away by rain, contaminating waterways and harming aquatic life.

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Traditional Pesticides and Non-Target Species

Traditional pesticides can kill beneficial organisms besides the intended pests, disrupting the ecosystem balance.

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Biomagnification of Pesticides

Pesticides can build up in the bodies of organisms higher up in the food chain, reaching harmful levels in apex predators.

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Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A comprehensive approach to pest control that uses a combination of methods to minimize pesticide use while maximizing pest control effectiveness.

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Biological Controls in IPM

Using natural predators, parasites, or diseases to control pest populations.

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Physical Controls in IPM

Using physical barriers, traps, or other non-chemical methods to prevent pests from entering or damaging crops.

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Chemical Controls in IPM

Using pesticides as a last resort, only when necessary and with careful selection of the least harmful option.

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Crop Rotation in IPM

Rotating different crops each year to disrupt pest lifecycles and reduce pest populations.

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Intercropping in IPM

Planting different crops together to create a more diverse environment, reducing pest populations and making the farm less appealing to pests.

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Pest-Resistant Crops in IPM

Growing crops with genetic resistance to certain pests, reducing the need for pesticides.

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Habitat for Predators in IPM

Providing habitat and resources for natural predators to control pests.

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IPM: A Balance of Methods

IPM involves a balanced approach to pest control, combining cultural, biological, and chemical methods to achieve sustainable and effective pest management.

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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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Related Documents

Irrigation & Sustainable Agriculture PDF
Pest Control Methods & IPM PDF

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.

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