Which farming method can lead to a decrease in soil fertility over time?

Intensive monoculture involves growing a single crop species over many consecutive seasons on the same land. This practice can lead to a decrease in soil fertility over time for several reasons.

First, planting the same crop repeatedly can deplete specific nutrients from the soil. Each crop has unique nutrient requirements, and consistently removing the same nutrients without replenishing them can result in deficiencies. Additionally, the lack of crop diversity limits the biological activity in the soil, which can hinder nutrient cycling.

Moreover, intensive monoculture can make the soil more susceptible to pest and disease pressure, as a uniform crop provides a consistent food source for specific pests and pathogens. This can further degrade soil health and fertility as farmers may resort to chemical pesticides or fertilizers that can have long-term negative effects on soil structure and microbial communities.

In contrast, conservation tillage, organic farming, and permaculture practices generally promote biodiversity and the health of soil ecosystems, contributing to sustained or even increased soil fertility over time through practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic amendments.