chapter 14 Flashcards
polyculture
planting a mix of perennial grasses, legumes, sunflowers, grain crops and plants that provides natural insecticides in the same field. (many different plants maturing at various time are planted together.)
- less need for fertilizers and water
- more protection to the plants from wind and water erosion
- little to no need for insecticides and herbicides
perennial plants
- plants that have a life cycle of more than two years
- less labor, reduces soil erosion and less pollution
ex: potatoes, tomatoes onions, basil
annuals
- plants that have a life cycle of one year and need to be replanted each year
ex: corn, rice, wheat, peas, watermelon
industrial agriculture (high-input agriculture)
- 80% of world’d food supply
- uses large amounts of fossil fuels, water, commercial fertilizers and pesticides to produce a single crop (monocultures) or livestock
plantation agriculture
- form of industrialized agriculture
- used on developing countries growing cash crops (soybeans, coffee, sugarcane, cocoa, vegetables, bananas)
traditional subsistence agriculture
- mostly human labor and draft animals
- only produces enough for a farm family’s survival
traditional intensive agriculture
-high inputs of human labor, draft labor, water, and fertilizers in order to get a higher yield per area of cultivated land
green revolution (1950)
-new management techniques and mechanization as well as more fertilization and irrigation, improved crop varieties and increased food production
second green revolution (1967-present day)
-introducing fast growing varieties of rice and wheat in several developing countries.
interplanting
- growing several different crops on the same plot
- reduces the chances of losing food supplies due to pests, bad weather and other misfortunes.
polyvarietal cultivation (interplanting)
-planting a plot w several varieties of the same crop.
intercropping (interplanting)
-growing two or more different crops at the same time on a plot
agroforestry (interplanting)
-crops and tress are planted in alternate rows
land degradation
-natural or human processes decrease the future ability of land to support crops, livestock or wild species
soil erosion
-the movement of soil components (surface litter or topsoil) from one place to another.
main causes: flowing water and wind
harmful effects: loss of soil fertility and sediments pollute water