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A farmer knows that land for agricultural production may be limited by a number of soil factors - NSC Agricultural Management Practices - Question 2 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 2
A farmer knows that land for agricultural production may be limited by a number of soil factors. The farmer recognised a few of those factors when he purchased land.... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A farmer knows that land for agricultural production may be limited by a number of soil factors - NSC Agricultural Management Practices - Question 2 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify FOUR soil production factors in the paragraph above that will limit the use of this piece of land for agricultural purposes.
Answer
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Slope of land - The slope makes it difficult for farming practices and increases soil erosion.
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Soil texture - The presence of rocky areas can lead to poor soil texture and reduced nutrient availability.
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Soil depth - The shallow plough layer of only 5 cm limits the volume of soil available for root growth.
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Soil erosion - The formation of dongas and rocky surfaces indicates high erosion risk, negatively impacting soil health.
Step 2
Name THREE ways in which the crop farmer could overcome the problem of slope as a limiting factor.
Answer
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Contour ploughing - This technique involves ploughing along the contours of the land to reduce water runoff and erosion.
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Vegetation strips/Strip cropping - Establishing strips of vegetation can help retain soil and moisture on sloped land.
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Minimum Tillage - Implementing minimum tillage practices can reduce soil disturbance, promoting soil structure stability and reducing erosion.