New Cultivation Methods
There is an increasing demand for food products across the world. As such, over the last few years, new methods has emerged to ensure the world can meet up with these ever-increasing needs. A prominent result has been the emergence of new cultivation methods across. With all these systems, the goal remains to improve yield to satisfy the increasing demand.
Noteworthy, six prominent cultivation methods have emerged. Typically, these systems do not operate in isolation as there is a constant merger of these systems, although to varying effects in different farmlands. These systems are examined below.
Intensive Tillage
New cultivation methods require the soil to be cultivated completely, regularly, and deeply. Then, to achieve this, a variety of modern systems such as tractors now exists. They facilitate this process and ensure that it is much easier to cultivate crops in the soil.
For instance, intensive tillage ensures the soil gets loosen. In turn, water can drain better, which allows the root to grow deeper.
Genetic Manipulation of Crops
Thanks to new cultivation techniques, hybrid seeds with more functionality and growth performance have emerged. Various compatible seeds now get combined to create a more productive offspring.
Monoculture
This is a system which supports the cultivation of one crop within a land area. This method is now preferred as it makes it easier for cultivation to occur. Also, it allows farmers to control weeds easily and reap bountifully.
There is also a cost-saving advantage. With monoculture, there is an increased possibility for farmers to adopt other relevant cultivation technologies. In turn, this can drive profitability and reduce cost.
Irrigation
A prominent system is the irrigation system that ensures plants can cope during drought. This has become even more prominent in areas where the steady supply or rainfall is not available or where it is not enough.
This system allows farmers to divert water from wells, reservoirs, rivers, and other canals to farmlands. In turn, this ensures that farmlands get adequate water for proper growth.
Also, there is a variety of drip system and sprinklers that make water application more effective.
Application of Inorganic Fertilisers
Another prominent application in modern cultivation is the application of synthetic fertilisers. While, in time past, organic fertiliser were prominent. There has been a significant increase in the use of inorganic fertilisers, reaching as much as ten times more.
These fertilisers then supply the crops with essential nutrients that support plant growth and development.
Chemical Pest Control
While the traditional system used less effective means of pest controls, new cultivation methods have seen the emergence of chemical pest control. In turn, this ensures pest which limits and harms plants growth do not get the upper hand.
Farmers with the right application can now easily spray pest control and respond adequately during a pest break out.
Conclusively, these newer methods have seen improvements in plant yields, thereby increasing food availability. However, they have caused harm ranging from soil degradation to erosion, soil compaction, pollution, and loss of the soil’s organic matter, among others.