Define Contour Ploughing
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 9th, 2023
Contour ploughing is a farming practice that involves ploughing the land along contour lines. These contour lines are intended to act as a water break, preventing the development of gullies and rills during periods of heavy precipitation. In contrast to parallel planting, contour ploughing involves planting perpendicular to the slope.
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Contour Ploughing
Contour ploughing is done to prevent soil erosion and its consequences, such as reduced crop productivity, worse water quality, flooding, and habitat loss. Therefore, contour ploughing is sustainable agriculture and a soil preservation technique. Some other sustainable agriculture techniques include strip cropping, terrace farming, and the use of a cover crop.
- In hilly areas, contour ploughing is used to stop sheet erosion and slow the flow of water down slopes.
- By farming along the contour, sediment is less likely to be deposited at the bottom of the slope or elsewhere as a result of sheet and rill erosion.
- By reducing the number of nutrients and organic matter that are transported to surface waters and increasing water storage in the soil profile, it can increase water infiltration.
Summary:
Define Contour Ploughing
A sustainable farming method called contour ploughing aids in reducing soil erosion and its harmful effects. This method entails planting the land along the contour lines to stop gullies from forming after significant precipitation.
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