Read the passage excerpt:
'In agroecological systems, intercropping—the agricultural practice of cultivating two or more crop varieties simultaneously within close proximity—enhances spatial resource partitioning. For example, companion planting of leguminous plants with nitrogen-demanding cereals utilizes symbiotic rhizobial nitrogen fixation, reducing the requirement for synthetic Haber-Bosch chemical fertilizers while simultaneously disrupting specialized pest reproductive cycles.'
How does intercropping legumes with cereals benefit crop yields and soil health?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. By fixing atmospheric nitrogen organically and disrupting pest cycles
- Step 1: The passage states that legumes use 'symbiotic rhizobial nitrogen fixation, reducing the requirement for synthetic Haber-Bosch chemical fertilizers while simultaneously disrupting specialized pest reproductive cycles'.
- Step 2: This provides natural nitrogen fertilization and pest management.
Answer
By fixing atmospheric nitrogen organically and disrupting pest cycles.
Why not the others: 'By introducing synthetic organophosphates...' contradicts the organic reduction in synthetic inputs; 'By eradicating all soil nematode and earthworm populations' would destroy soil fertility; 'By absorbing all groundwater...' describes destructive moisture competition rather than mutualistic partitioning.
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