Final answer:
The greater agricultural production in Western Oklahoma is attributed to its suitability for wheat production due to dryer conditions and the availability of irrigation from the Ogallala Aquifer, despite the less fertile soil compared to regions with tallgrass prairies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Western part of Oklahoma has a greater agricultural production because the region's climate and soil conditions make it suitable for wheat production, which is the core of its agricultural economy. The area west of the 100th meridian tends to be dryer, making it less suitable for crops like corn and soybeans that require more moisture. Therefore, farmers in this region plant wheat, a crop better adapted to the drier conditions. Additionally, the area supports wheat production due to the presence of the Ogallala Aquifer, which facilitates irrigation.
Dryness in the Western part of Oklahoma slows plant growth and provides a less reliable snowpack in winter, impacting decomposition processes that are critical for soil fertility. As a result, the soil from the shortgrass prairie in this area is less productive than that from tallgrass prairies. Nevertheless, wheat thrives here, maintaining Oklahoma's role in the agricultural production, particularly as the leading agricultural export from the United States. Despite the challenges, the area has been effectively utilized for agriculture, especially with the advent of irrigation from water sources like the Ogallala Aquifer.