Unit 5: Modern Agriculture Methods and Challenges

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to modern agriculture methods, sustainable practices, and associated challenges.

Agroforestry

Planting trees and crops together.

Alley cropping

Planting of crops in strips with rows of trees or shrubs on each side.

Strip cropping

Planting regular crops and close-growing plants in alternating rows to help reduce soil nutrient depletion.

Terracing

Converting a long, steep slope into broad, nearly level terraces to retain water and reduce soil erosion.

Shifting agriculture

Clearing a plot for a few years for crops, then leaving it fallow for 10-30 years due to nutrient depletion.

Slash-and-burn agriculture

Cutting down vegetation and burning it to add nutrients to nutrient-poor soils.

Intercropping

Growing two or more different crops at the same time on a plot.

Contour plowing

Plowing and planting across the slope of the land to retain water and reduce erosion.

Conservation-tillage agriculture

Farming with minimal soil disturbance to reduce erosion and save costs.

Monoculture

Cultivation of a single crop over a large area.

Polyculture

A complex form of intercropping with a variety of plants maturing at different times.

Crop Rotation

Planting different crops in a field year after year to reduce nutrient depletion.

Plantation Agriculture

Growing specialized crops in tropical countries mainly for sale in developed countries.

Vertical farming

Farming on vertical surfaces using stacked layers to produce more food on less land.

Cover crop

Plants grown to cover soil, managing erosion and fertility.

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)

Intensive farming that keeps a large number of animals in small spaces.

Pasture-Raised (Grass-Fed) Systems

Animals raised on pasture for their entire lives, grazing on live forage.

Regenerative agriculture

Farming focused on improving soil health and restoring ecosystems.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A sustainable pest control approach using multiple methods to minimize environmental impact.

Perennial Crops

Plants that live for more than two years and produce crops annually.

Annual Crops

Plants that complete their life cycle within a year, producing crops only once.

Organic Agriculture

Food grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Regenerative Grazing

Managed, rotational grazing that improves soil health and captures carbon.

Urban farming

Cultivation of food and livestock within urban areas.

Subsistence Agriculture

Farming where nearly all produce is used to maintain the farmer's family.

Hydroponics

Growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil.

Community Supported Agriculture

A system where community shareholders support farm operations and share risks.

Animal husbandry

Agriculture focused on breeding and caring for domesticated animals.

Fertilizers

Substances added to soil to enhance plant growth.

Organic fertilizers

Made from natural materials to provide nutrients for plants.

Inorganic fertilizers

Chemical compounds used to supply nutrients, including micronutrients.

Pesticides

Substances used to control pests that damage crops or livestock.

Herbicides

Pesticides designed to kill weeds.

Fungicides

Pesticides used to control fungi causing plant diseases.

Rodenticides

Pesticides that kill rodents.

Insecticides

Pesticides used to kill harmful insects.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms whose genetic material has been altered via biotechnology.

Growth Hormones

Substances that stimulate growth in animals.

Biocontrol

Using natural predators to control pest populations.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing that exceeds land regeneration capacity.

Desertification

Process of fertile land becoming desert due to human activities.

Antibiotic Resistance

When bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics designed to kill them.

Pesticide resistance

When pest populations evolve to resist specific pesticides.

Pesticide treadmill

Cycle of developing new pesticides to combat resistant pests.

Soil Degradation

Reduction in soil quality and productivity due to intensive farming practices.

Water Scarcity & Pollution

High irrigation use and runoff pollution impact water resources.

Biodiversity Loss

Reduction in ecosystem health due to monocultures and chemical use.

Climate Change Impacts

Effects like droughts and floods that disrupt agriculture.

Food Waste

Loss of food between production and consumption, impacting resource efficiency.

Rotational grazing

A sustainable livestock management practice that involves moving animals between pastures to improve soil health and vegetation.