Question

5. In Illinois, the two most common crops grown are corn and soybeans. Corn is a crop that depletes the soil of

nitrogen. Soybeans are a crop that have symbiotic bacteria living on their roots. How do farmers use the
information stated above when they plan out their crops from one year to the next?

Answer 1

Illinois farmers use crop rotation, alternating corn and soybean crops to maintain soil nitrogen levels, leveraging soybeans' ability to fix nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Illinois, farmers strategically plan their crop cycles by utilizing the natural properties of corn and soybeans. Corn, a crop that depletes the soil of nitrogen, is alternated with soybeans, which have symbiotic bacteria on their roots that can fix nitrogen back into the soil.

This practice of crop rotation is beneficial for maintaining soil fertility and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. By alternating these crops, farmers ensure that the soil is replenished with nitrogen after growing nitrogen-depleting corn, leading to sustainable agriculture practices.