Which farming technique minimizes soil erosion by following the land's natural contours?

Which farming technique minimizes soil erosion by following the land's natural contours?

• A. Contour ploughing
• B. Terracing
• C. Crop rotation
• D. No-till farming

Answer: (A)

When soil erosion on slopes is a concern, guiding farming along the land’s shape helps slow water and keep soil in place. Contour ploughing works by plowing along lines that follow the natural contours of the field. These shallow furrows act as barriers to runoff, breaking the slope’s gradient, giving water more time to infiltrate, and trapping soil so it isn’t washed away downslope. Terracing changes the slope by creating flat steps, which reduces erosion but isn’t about following contour lines in the same way. Crop rotation focuses on maintaining soil fertility and pest control, not directly on erosion control through contour guidance. No-till farming minimizes disturbance and preserves residues to protect soil, but it doesn’t rely on contour lines to slow runoff. So contour ploughing is the technique that minimizes soil erosion specifically by tracing the land’s contours.

When soil erosion on slopes is a concern, guiding farming along the land’s shape helps slow water and keep soil in place. Contour ploughing works by plowing along lines that follow the natural contours of the field. These shallow furrows act as barriers to runoff, breaking the slope’s gradient, giving water more time to infiltrate, and trapping soil so it isn’t washed away downslope.

Terracing changes the slope by creating flat steps, which reduces erosion but isn’t about following contour lines in the same way. Crop rotation focuses on maintaining soil fertility and pest control, not directly on erosion control through contour guidance. No-till farming minimizes disturbance and preserves residues to protect soil, but it doesn’t rely on contour lines to slow runoff.

So contour ploughing is the technique that minimizes soil erosion specifically by tracing the land’s contours.