Final answer:
To address concerns about their orange groves during a drought, farmers would benefit most from using irrigation, as it directly mitigates water scarcity. Crop rotation is beneficial for soil health and reducing pesticide use in the long term but is not immediately helpful for perennial crops like oranges. Agricultural mechanization, including advanced irrigation, aids in efficient water use during drought conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a drought, farmers have various strategies available to maintain healthy crops. One of the most effective methods to mitigate the impact of drought on orange groves is using irrigation. Irrigation systems can deliver water directly to the crops when natural rainfall is insufficient, maintaining the necessary moisture levels for orange trees to thrive. Unlike other options such as installing fans or using pesticides, which do not address the core issue of water scarcity, irrigation can compensate for the lack of rain and preserve the vital water supply that orange crops need to survive and grow.
Crop rotation is another agricultural practice that benefits the long-term health of farmland. It involves alternating the types of crops grown on a piece of land to improve soil fertility, diversify crop production, and reduce pesticide costs by naturally breaking the cycle of weeds, insects, and diseases. However, in the specific case of a drought's immediate effects on orange groves, crop rotation would not be as helpful since orange trees are perennial and cannot be rotated easily or quickly.
Moreover, applying techniques from agricultural mechanization, such as advanced irrigation and water management systems, allow farmers to more efficiently use water resources, which is particularly beneficial in arid regions or during drought conditions. These technological advancements in farming can lead to more consistent quality of crops and higher productivity even under challenging environmental circumstances.