Question

Explain how soil gets affected by continuous plantation of crops in the field.

Answer 1

Hint: Loss of nutrients and fertility is mainly associated with topsoil. Leaching is the highest cause of nutrient loss and infertility of soil.

Complete answer:
Continuous plantation of crops in a field leads to soil leaching which is a condition where the soil loses all its basic nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulfur, etc.
Due to irrigation, the soil tends to lose its major nutrients and gradually the top layer becomes devoid of nutrients with continuous plantations in the same field. Different plants have different nutrient needs, if crops are grown on the same field season after season, it becomes deficient of essential nutrients.
The topsoil is the richest source of nutrients required for growth. Prolonged plantations can lead to leaching of the top layer until the nutrient content decreases below the reach of the roots. The yield automatically decreases and the soil becomes infertile gradually.

Note: Soil leaching and infertility also lead to soil erosion. To retrieve the nutrients lost due to continuous plantation, the soil is to be left barren for years or it is to be treated with fertilizers.