APES Video Notes 5.15 - Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture methods:

1. contour plowing

   • plowing parallel to natural slopes of the land instead of down slops

     • prevent water runoff and soil erosion

   • forms mini terraces that catch water runoff

     • conserves soil and water

2. terracing

   • cutting clap platforms of soil into a steep slope

     • flatness catches water and prevent runoff + eroding soil

3. perennial crops

   • crops that live year round and are harvested numerous times

   • longer, more established roots and prevention of bare soil between harvest

4. windbreaks

   • using trees or other plants to block the force of the wind from eroding topsoil

   • can be used as a source of firewood

   • provide habitat for pollinators and other species

5. no till

   • leaving leftover crop remains in soil instead of tilling under

   • adds org. matter to soil

   • prevents erosion from loosened soil

6. strip cropping

   • another name for intercropping

   • alternating rows of dense crops with rows of less dense crops to prevent runoff from eroding soil from less sense rows of crops

Improving soil fertility

• crop rotation

• green manure

  • leftover plant matter from a cover crop

    • a crop planted in the offseason, between harvest and replanting of main crop

  • cover crop roots stabilize soil limiting topsoil erosion

  • remains of cover crops left on field breakdown to release nutrients into the soil

• rotational grazing

  • regular rotation of livestock to different pastures to prevent overgrazing

    • overgrazing can kill plants, compact soil and lead to erosion on topsoil

    • promote pasture growth at faster rates

    • clops grass back to length where growth is fastest and encourages deeper root growth