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Difficulty: MediumMethods and Techniques of Environmental Conservation

To improve soil nitrogen content and reduce wind erosion on farmlands within the Sudan savanna belt of northern Nigeria, agricultural conservationists recommend planting hedgerows of nutrient-fixing trees between row crops. Which conservation method best describes this agricultural practice?

  1. Alley croppingAnswer
  2. B
    Crop rotation
  3. C
    Strip cropping
  4. D
    Terracing

Answer

Alley cropping is an agroforestry conservation technique that integrates rows of nitrogen-fixing trees or shrubs with cultivated field crops to enhance soil fertility and control erosion.
Alley cropping is an agroforestry technique that combines agricultural crops with hedgerows of woody legumes. The trees provide nitrogen fixation, organic leaf mulch, and windbreak protection, which is particularly effective in semi-arid environments such as the Sudan savanna.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the land management scenario provided in the stem.
Identified key components: planting hedgerows of woody, nutrient-fixing plants in rows alongside annual crops in semi-arid zones.
Environmental conservation techniques are categorized based on whether they combine forestry with agriculture, alter slope geometry, or alternate crop types over time.
2
Evaluate the agroforestry conservation techniques matching the described strategy.
Alley cropping specifically refers to growing food crops in the avenues ('alleys') formed by rows of leguminous trees or shrubs.
The leguminous trees fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, while their roots anchor topsoil and canopy windbreaks reduce wind erosion.

Key Concept

Agroforestry and Soil Conservation Techniques
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Methods and Techniques of Environmental Conservation

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