Which of the following contributes to sustainable agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture seeks to balance the need for food production with the preservation of environmental health. Crop rotation and organic practices are key components of this approach. Crop rotation involves alternating the species of crops grown on a particular piece of land over time, which can help to improve soil health, reduce pest and disease cycles, and promote biodiversity. By rotating crops, farmers can also enhance nutrient cycling in the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and helping to maintain soil fertility.

Organic practices involve farming methods that avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting the use of natural inputs and techniques such as composting, biological pest control, and cover cropping. These practices contribute to ecosystem health, support pollinator populations, and reduce the impact of agriculture on water quality and biodiversity.

In contrast, overuse of chemical fertilizers, monoculture farming, and excessive irrigation can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and a decrease in ecosystem resilience, significantly impairing the sustainability of agricultural practices.