This part of the activity will focus on conventional and sustainable practices i

Question

This part of the activity will focus on conventional and sustainable practices in farming. Chapter 10, Section 2 (labeled 10.2), describes some of the key farming techniques that are used to provide adequate moisture and nutrients for crops. One of these methods is irrigation, which accounts for nearly 2/3 of all freshwater used each year. There can be several problems with irrigation, though, including waterlogging and salinization. There is also often heavy energy use in providing the pumping for irrigation as well. In addition, open farmland is subject to erosion from wind or water. Several methods described in Section 10.2—contour plowing, strip farming, terracing, and the use of cover crops, as well as plantings between fields of shrubs or other vegetation—can help to reduce erosion. Instructions Review the Case Study at the beginning of Chapter 10, entitled “Farming in the Cerrado,” and Section 10.2, entitled “How Do We Use, Abuse, and Conserve Soils?” and Section 10.4, entitled “Organic and Sustainable Agriculture.” Deforestation in tropical regions like Brazil is one negative impact of conventional farming practices in industrial agriculture. Consider other negative impacts put forth in the reading and how this information relates to irrigation circles, systems that pivot around a center point as shown in Figure 10.13 in the textbook. Open Google Earth, and in the search box enter Fellsburg, Kansas. Click Search. Zoom out a little and look for circular shapes; these irrigation systems are frequently seen in the corn growing areas of the Midwest. In these circles, there are pump buildings in the center of the circle, bringing groundwater to the surface. According to Section 10.2, what is the source of energy to run these pumps? How else is this same type of energy used in modern agriculture?

Explanation / Answer

Conventional or industrial farming is the practice of using pesticides, herbicides, synthetic chemical fertilizers, heavy irrigation, concentrated monoculture, intense tillage, concentrated animal feeding operations, genetically modified organism etc. This type of farming though highly energy and resource intense but highly productive.

Negative impacts of conventional farming:

Erosion of exposed top soil due to wind and water which in turn declines the soil productivity.

Desertification due to overgrazing is also a serious concern especially in african countries

Destruction of tropical forests and other native vegetation for agricultural practices is also responsible for increasing levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases and hence global warming

Through the continuous use of pesticides now the insects and pests have more become resistant which increases the stress on pollinator and other beneficial species and hence results in loss of biodiversity. Also the practice of monoculture also reduces the biodiversity,

The problem of soil salination and water logging in irrigated areas

Irrigation systems:

Sprinkler system is irrigates the field and used especially in sandy areas because it prevents the wastage of water through seepage and evaporation.It is a method of irrigation in which the water irrigates the field as natural rainwater. In this water is distributed through a number of interconnected pipes. This water is then sprinkled up into the air so that this break up into small water droplets which eventually fall to the ground. This system is especially designed to get a uniform application of water

Central pivot: it is an automated sprinkler system in which the sprinkler pipe is automatically rotated ,supplies water to the nozzle of the pipes in the form of a radius from the center of field to be irrigated. Water is delivered to the central or pivotal point of the system.

The pipe which is above the crop is supported by towers with constant spacing and operates by mechanical, electric and pneumatic on wheels with fixed circular paths and angular speed. Here the water is applied at a progressively uniform rate by the gradual increase of nozzle size from center to the end of the line. Rate of travel determines the depth of water applied. About 1250-1300 feet long single units can irrigate a field of 130 acre circular area.

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