Soil fertility is depleted due to

Options

A. Pan breaking
B. Terracing
C. Intensive agriculture
D. Contour bunding

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Soil Fertility:**
- Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants. It is crucial for agricultural productivity.

2. **Identifying Causes of Soil Fertility Depletion:**
- The question lists four options: pan breaking, terracing, intensive agriculture, and contour bunding. We need to evaluate each option to determine which one primarily leads to soil fertility depletion.

3. **Evaluating Each Option:**
- **Pan Breaking:** This refers to the breaking of hardpans in the soil, which can improve drainage and root penetration but does not directly deplete soil fertility.
- **Terracing:** This is a farming practice that helps reduce soil erosion and water runoff on slopes. It generally helps maintain soil fertility rather than depleting it.
- **Intensive Agriculture:** This practice involves using high inputs of fertilizers, pesticides, and water to maximize crop yields. It often leads to nutrient depletion in the soil due to the continuous extraction of nutrients without adequate replenishment.
- **Contour Bunding:** This technique involves plowing and planting across the slope of the land to reduce soil erosion. It also helps in conserving soil and water, thus maintaining soil fertility.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Among the options provided, **intensive agriculture** is the primary cause of soil fertility depletion due to the overuse of soil nutrients without proper management practices.

5. **Final Answer:**
- Soil fertility is depleted primarily due to **intensive agriculture**.

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