Question

Problem 35

Answer 1

Background and context

Cropland can be depleted in a matter of years using traditional farming methods. In order to continue using the land, a range of nutrients, including nitrogen, must be maintained in the soil. Nitrogen fertilizers can flow off into waterways during heavy rains, polluting the water. Cropland nutrient levels can be better maintained by adopting sustainable farming methods such as composting, using insect predators to control pests, and other approaches, allowing the fields to produce crops for decades rather than just a few years.