A farmer is growing corn, which requires high levels of nitrogen.Corn does not have root nodules with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and therefore cannot produce its own nitrogen.What will most likely happen to the soil's nitrogen content if corn is grown in the same place year after year?
A) It will increase rapidly, as nitrogen-fixing bacteria immediately move in.
B) It will decrease at first, then increase as nitrogen-fixing bacteria move in.
C) It will decrease continuously until it becomes nitrogen-deficient.
D) It will remain stable, as the corn becomes accustomed to lower nitrogen levels.
E) It will remain stable, as nitrogen will enter the field through runoff.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Continuous planting of a high nitrogen-demanding crop like corn without any nitrogen-fixing plants or fertilizers tends to deplete the soil of its nitrogen content. The bacteria in the soil responsible for nitrogen fixation will not accumulate there because corn, as a plant species, does not foster their development. Hence, the absence of naturally occurring bacteria in the field, along with nutrient uptake by the corn plants, steadily lowers the soil's nitrogen content, making it nitrogen-deficient.

A Farmer Is Growing Corn, Which Requires High Levels of Nitrogen.Corn