The semi-arid plains of a particular region show a pattern of alternating yellow and black stripes on the ground. The yellow stripes consist of land covered by ripening wheat. The black stripes are bare soil on which no crop is grown but farmers use herbicides or tillage to remove any weeds that try to grow in that region. Why do farmers in this region manage soils in this way?

Options

A. Farmers put the half of their land to rest for minimising erosion and soil degradation.
B. Farmers discourage transpiration in the wheat plantation by allowing free evaporation from the soil of the bare stripes.
C. Farmers are allowing land to naturally regain the nutrients for one or more seasons
D. All of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Land Pattern**: The region described has alternating yellow and black stripes. The yellow stripes are areas where wheat is growing, while the black stripes are bare soil where no crops are planted.

2. **Purpose of Bare Soil (Black Stripes)**: The black stripes of bare soil are intentionally left without crops. Farmers use herbicides or tillage to remove weeds from these areas. This practice helps in managing the land effectively.

3. **Soil Fertility Management**: By leaving some land bare, farmers allow the soil to rest. This resting period helps the soil regain its nutrients and fertility naturally. It is a common agricultural practice known as fallowing.

4. **Benefits of Fallowing**: Fallowing helps prevent soil degradation and erosion. When land is left bare, it can recover from the nutrients depleted during the crop growing season. This practice also helps in breaking the cycle of pests and diseases that may affect crops.

5. **Conclusion**: The farmers manage the soil in this way to allow it to naturally regain its nutrients and maintain soil health, ensuring better crop yields in the future.

**Final Answer**: Farmers in this region manage the soils by alternating between crop land and bare soil to allow the land to naturally regain nutrients and maintain soil health.

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