Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which gardening practice helps to prevent soil erosion?

1. Crop rotation

2. Planting cover crops

3. Using synthetic fertilizers

4. Overseeding

The correct answer is: Planting cover crops

Planting cover crops is an effective gardening practice that significantly helps in preventing soil erosion. Cover crops are planted during the off-season when the main crops are not growing, and they serve multiple purposes. Primarily, the roots of these plants bind the soil together, which helps to reduce the impact of rain on the soil surface, thus minimizing the chances of soil being washed away. Additionally, cover crops enhance soil structure and promote a healthy soil ecosystem. They can also improve soil fertility and prevent nutrient runoff, which further contributes to soil preservation. These plants not only shield the soil from erosion caused by wind and water but also enhance moisture retention and improve organic matter content in the soil. In contrast to planting cover crops, practices like crop rotation and overseeding can be beneficial in other ways, such as managing pests and diseases or improving the density of turf, but they do not directly address the erosion prevention as effectively as cover crops. Using synthetic fertilizers, while important for nutrient supply, does not contribute to soil stability or erosion control and may even lead to runoff that harms the environment.