Question

Now that you have explained why silt loam is considered the best for growing soybeans, discuss one environmental benefit of using the right soil type for farming (2 pts)

(1-2 sentences in length, including details for full points)

Use evidence from our soil lab to support your answer.

⭐Hints:

1️⃣ 🌱 Think about what silt loam is made of! It's not too rocky, not too clay-like, but just right... like Goldilocks! How does it feel compared to sand or clay?

2️⃣ 💧 Good soil does more than grow plants - it helps the environment too! Does the right soil affect water runoff, erosion, or how much fertilizer farmers need to use?



Optional Sentence Starters:

"Using the right soil type like silt loam helps the environment by..."

Answer 1

Using the right soil type like silt loam helps the environment by reducing water runoff and erosion, thanks to its balanced texture of sand, silt, and clay that promotes water infiltration and retention. In our soil lab, we observed that silt loam allows for optimal drainage and minimizes erosion compared to heavier clay soils, which can lead to nutrient loss and pollution in nearby water bodies.