Question

Planting rye as a cover crop for cotton is an alternative to using GMOs (like round-up ready cotton) and pesticides. From what we discussed in the lecture, why does cover cropping reflect a method in agroecology? Cover cropping:

A) Promotes monoculture.
B) Increases reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
C) Enhances biodiversity and reduces the need for chemical inputs.
D) Has no impact on ecological sustainability.

Answer 1

Cover cropping, involving planting rye as a cover crop for cotton, reflects agroecology as it enhances biodiversity and reduces reliance on chemical inputs, thereby increasing ecological sustainability and improving soil health.

Step-by-step explanation:

Planting rye as a cover crop for cotton is a reflection of agroecology because it enhances biodiversity and reduces the need for chemical inputs like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. This sustainable agricultural practice is known as cover cropping, which aligns with the principles of crop rotation and intercropping. These methods improve soil health, support diverse ecosystems, and thereby increase ecological sustainability. By integrating different plant species, cover cropping contributes to ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling and pest management, and helps to maintain optimal soil conditions, which would otherwise be costly to replicate artificially.