Study Guides/Geography/Strip Cropping
Study Guide ยท Geography

What is Strip Cropping? (Soil Conservation)

Strip Cropping is a highly effective method of soil conservation used on sloping farmland. It involves growing different crops in alternating strips across a slope to reduce the speed of water runoff and prevent soil erosion.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is strip cropping?

Answer

Strip cropping is a soil conservation method where alternating strips of different crops and grass are grown across a slope to slow water runoff and prevent soil erosion.

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Key Facts

Purpose: Prevent soil erosion on sloping land.

Method: Alternate strips of dense crops and grass/legumes.

Additional Benefit: Nitrogen fixation by legume strips improves soil fertility.

Related Method: Contour ploughing, Terrace farming.

How it Works

On a hillside farm, instead of growing one single crop across the entire slope (which allows rainwater to rush straight down and wash away the topsoil), the farmer divides the land into horizontal strips.

  • Strip 1: A tall, dense crop like wheat or sugarcane.
  • Strip 2: A low-growing grass or legume (like clover).
  • Strip 3: Wheat again.
  • And so on...

When rain falls, the dense grass strips act as natural barriers, slowing down the water before it can gain enough speed to wash away the soil.

Benefits of Strip Cropping

  1. Reduces Soil Erosion: The main purpose โ€” prevents valuable topsoil from being washed away.
  2. Improves Soil Fertility: Legume strips (like clover) fix nitrogen in the soil, naturally fertilizing the next crop.
  3. Conserves Water: Slows runoff, allowing more water to soak into the ground.
  4. Prevents Gully Formation: Stops small water channels from cutting into the land.

Difference from Contour Farming

Both methods are used on slopes. In Contour Farming, the ploughing itself is done along the contour (height lines) of the slope. In Strip Cropping, alternating crop types are grown in strips across the slope.

Questions and Answers

What is strip cropping?+

Strip cropping is a soil conservation method where alternating strips of different crops and grass are grown across a slope to slow water runoff and prevent soil erosion.

How does strip cropping help in soil conservation?+

The dense grass strips act as barriers that reduce the speed of water flowing down the slope, preventing it from washing away the valuable topsoil.

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