Final answer:
Sustainable agriculture typically prioritizes long-term environmental health and relies on fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers than industrial agriculture. It focuses on methods that sustain soil quality and biodiversity, potentially resulting in lower immediate yields but more resilient and productive systems in the future.
Step-by-step explanation:
In comparison to industrial agriculture, sustainable agriculture generally produces lower immediate yields; however, it aims for high yields in the long term by maintaining ecosystem health. The key difference is that sustainable farming uses significantly less pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Instead of relying on chemical inputs that can harm the environment and reduce biodiversity, it focuses on organic practices that enhance soil quality and promote biodiversity without the widespread use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Synthetic fertilizers contain high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus to promote plant growth. Yet, their overuse can lead to eutrophication, a form of water pollution. Conversely, sustainable methods often employ composting and crop rotation to manage soil fertility. This not only maintains soil health but also supports biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity, creating a more resilient farming ecosystem. The Three Sisters gardening project by Iowa State University is an example of sustainable agriculture. It utilizes traditional intercropping methods which synergize the growth of complementary plants and utilizes heirloom varieties, resulting in diverse cropping systems without the need for synthetic chemicals.