Question

select the correct answer

a farmer who has grown corn for the past five years notices in the sixth year that his harvest is significantly smaller, despite an increase in labor on the farm. the following year, the harvest continues to decline. which of the following explanations most plausibly accounts for the reduction in corn yield?

a. soil degradation
b. idealization
c. better irrigation
d. terracing

Explanation:

To determine the cause of reduced corn yield, we analyze each option:

• Option A (soil degradation): Repeated corn cultivation (monoculture) can deplete soil nutrients, reduce organic matter, or cause erosion, leading to declining yields over time—even with increased labor. This aligns with the scenario.
• Option B (desertification): Desertification is a long - term, large - scale process of land turning to desert, unlikely to occur in just a few years of corn farming.
• Option C (better irrigation): Better irrigation would typically increase yields, not decrease them, so this is inconsistent.
• Option D (terracing): Terracing is a soil - conservation technique for sloped land, and it would not cause yield reduction; in fact, it often helps maintain or increase yields.

Answer:

A. soil degradation