Question

In many countries around the world, especially in Africa and the Middle-East, farmed land is rainfed rather than irrigated. In these semi-arid regions, depending on land management practices, much of the rainfall on agricultural land is lost as non-productive evaporation from the soil surface. The water challenge in these areas is to enhance low crop yields by improving water availability for plant growth. Above you see the results of two land management strategies. Minimum tillage plus mulch results in twice as much available water as does deep tillage. Which choice is NOT a benefit of using the minimum tillage method.
Responses

A does not aid in soil aerationdoes not aid in soil aeration

B less water lost via evaporationless water lost via evaporation

C less water and nutrient run-offless water and nutrient run-off

D keeps soil and plant roots cooler

Answer 1

A. does not aid in soil aeration

This choice is NOT a benefit of using the minimum tillage method. While minimum tillage has several benefits, including reduced evaporation, decreased runoff, and maintaining cooler soil temperatures, improving soil aeration is typically more associated with other practices or can be a concern in certain situations when minimum tillage is employed.