In west Texas, cotton has become an important crop in the last several decades. However, in this hot, dry part of the country there is little rainfall, so farmers irrigate their cotton fields. They must also regularly fertilize the cotton fields because the soil is very sandy. Figure 37.2 shows the record of annual productivity (measured in kilograms of cotton per hectare of land) since 1960 in a west Texas cotton field. Use these data to answer the following questions.

Figure 37.2
-A young farmer purchases some land in a relatively arid area and is interested in earning a reasonable profit for many years. Which of the following strategies would best allow such a goal to be achieved?

Question

In west Texas, cotton has become an important crop in the last several decades. However, in this hot, dry part of the country there is little rainfall, so farmers irrigate their cotton fields. They must also regularly fertilize the cotton fields because the soil is very sandy. Figure 37.2 shows the record of annual productivity (measured in kilograms of cotton per hectare of land) since 1960 in a west Texas cotton field. Use these data to answer the following questions.
  
Figure 37.2
-A young farmer purchases some land in a relatively arid area and is interested in earning a reasonable profit for many years. Which of the following strategies would best allow such a goal to be achieved?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To maintain long-term profit and sustainability, the farmer should select crops adapted to arid areas. As seen in the data, cotton has become an important crop in west Texas, but it requires significant resources like irrigation and fertilizers to thrive. Choosing crops that are naturally adapted to arid conditions will reduce the cost of resources required, increase yield and profits, and have a more sustainable impact on the environment.

In West Texas, Cotton Has Become an Important Crop in the Last