What are the consequences of monoculture on soil health?

Study for the CCA Ontario Crop Management Exam. Prepare with multiple-choice questions; each provides hints and explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

Monoculture, the agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area for consecutive seasons, has significant implications for soil health, with nutrient depletion being a primary consequence. When only one type of crop is cultivated repeatedly, it often leads to the same nutrients being extracted from the soil year after year without giving the soil a chance to replenish them. This continuous demand can result in soil nutrient depletion, making the soil less fertile and productive over time.

In addition to reducing nutrient levels, monoculture can also lead to soil structure degradation, increased susceptibility to erosion, and a decline in beneficial soil microorganisms. While practices like crop rotation can help mitigate some of these effects, they are not applicable in strictly monoculture systems. Thus, nutrient depletion is a direct and critical outcome of monoculture that adversely impacts soil health, crop yield, and overall ecosystem sustainability.

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