Feeding the World – Flashcards
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monoculture farming
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farms that used to grow a variety of crops shifted toward growing only one or two crops that commanded the highest prices; an cause several problems
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quinoa
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very high in protein, has a good balance of amino acids, and grows well in mountainous areas
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sustainable agriculture
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based on crop rotation, reduced soil erosion, integrated pest management, and a minimal use of soil additives
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erosion
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a natural process by which soil is formed, transported, and sometimes lost to a particular ecosystem or region
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What is a benefit of crop rotation?
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Crop rotation maintains the fertility of a field and helps prevent soil from becoming depleted in mineral nutrients, especially nitrogen.
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What is the role of tilling in soil erosion?
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By softening and loosening the top layers of soil, it is more easily carried away by water and wind.
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Cover crops are _____________.
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non-food plants
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An IPM, or integrated pest management- system tries to avoid using ___________ on crops.
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pesticides
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How can pesticides alter the ecosystem?
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The routine use of pesticides can cause adaptations to occur in pests, which can develop a resistance to the pesticide and cause an ecological imbalance.
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A negative result of monoculture farming is ____________.
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decrease in mineral nutrients in soil
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Quinoa is a good alternative to high-yield grains because it _________.
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can grow on mountains
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Many U.S. farmers have not lost their family farms over the last 40 years because they could not _____________.
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afford new machinery
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Which country has the most successful integrated pest management system in the world?
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Indonesia
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The use of machinery and fossil fuels has changed agriculture in the United States. How has the amount of oil used to produce 1 ton of grain changed over 35-year period?
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It has doubled.
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Compared to farms of 100 years ago, modern agribusinesses need ___________.
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fewer workers
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In the past, agriculture work was completed by _____________.
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humans and animals
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Inroduction of natural insect predators is one aspect of _____________.
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integrated pest management
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Widespread use of pesticides has led to the development of ______________.
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more pesticide-resistant insects
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Monoculture involves the use of ____________.
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genetically identical plants
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Drip irrigation provides precise amounts of water directly to crops roots. This method is one of the mainstays of sustainable agriculture because it ________________.
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reduces soil erosion
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A negative side effect of the mechanization of framing is _________________.
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increased fuel costs
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Soil erosion can limit the quantity of crops a farmer can produce. Which method can reduce soil erosion?
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drip irrigation
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Monoculture farming often results in ____________.
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reduced soil fertility
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An IMP system is used to _____________.
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control pests
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Which was likely the most significant cause of the great famine in China between 1959 and 1961?
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Resentful farmers refused to work their fields.
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Which is not used in integrated pest an management?
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synthetic pesticides
