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Question of the Week

The amount of organic matter present in the soil is extremely important to farmers. Organic matter is made up a number of different components, both alive and dead. Plant roots, earthworms, microorganisms and debris from decaying plant matter are all part of healthy soil.

Martin Luther King
Source: FreeFoto

High levels of soil organic matter are beneficial to crops for many reasons. Organic matter improves soil fertility, water availability and air supply to plants; reduces erosion and crusting of soil; and wards off various parasites, pests and diseases that can harm plants.

Which of the following agricultural techniques have a positive impact on soil organic matter levels?

Check all that apply.

Planting only one type of vegetable for many years in a row, a practice known as monocropping

Using animal manures and compost on fields

Tilling the soil after crops have been harvested

Using pesticides and insecticides

Employing the use of cover crops and crop rotation to prevent erosion

 

Congratulations for submitting the correct answer!
Name
County
Troy Abell
Berks
Caryn Barrett
Delaware
Dakota Bejster
Westmoreland
Emily Bragonier
Allegheny
Ryan Burnett
Delaware
Cody Childers
Westmoreland
Alex Craine
Westmoreland
Maddie Daschbach
Berks
Jessica Deem
Berks
Dana Doc
Delaware
Jarrett Dorazio
Westmoreland
Phile Dupont
Delaware
Shayna Fiorina
Westmoreland
Alexis Gademsky
Westmoreland
Cailey Gray
Westmoreland
Daryl Griffiths
Berks
Madison Gruss
Westmoreland
Joshua Gump
Westmoreland
Ben Harakel
Berks
Courtney Kahl
Westmoreland
Megan Kanavel
Delaware
Kirsten Lebo
Berks
Breana Liberoni
Westmoreland
John Lukon
Westmoreland
Krystalyn Martin
Westmoreland
Jeannie McGuire
Delaware
Merissa Molineux
Delaware
Matthew Nitkiewicz
Westmoreland
Matt Murphy
Delaware
Haley Patrick
Delaware
Nathan Pollard
Westmoreland
Nicole Reitz
Westmoreland
Jennifer Resslar
Westmoreland
Thomas Retallick
Westmoreland
Brittney Seevers
Westmoreland
David Seevers
Westmoreland
Patience Snyder
Westmoreland
Tom Takacs
Delaware
Jocelyn Texter
Delaware
Haylie White
Westmoreland


snowglobe
Source: Free Foto

Stuck?

Try these links:

Penn State Agronomy Notes

Organic Matter Management


earth hug
Source: FreeFoto

Pennsylvania Environment and Ecology Standard

4.3 Environmental Health

 

Activity:

Soil Safari

Background Image From: FreeFoto