The practice of crop rotation uses nitrogen fixation to create fertile fields. First, a plant without a nitrogen-fixing relationship, such as corn, is planted. After the harvest, a nitrogen-fixing plant replaces the initial crop. Instead of harvesting the nitrogen-fixing plant, however, it is plowed under. The cycle continues in this manner. Why would nitrogen-fixing plants be plowed under instead of harvested?    a) To increases usable nitrogen in the soil. b) To increase water retention. c) Nitrogen-fixing plants are not a food crop. d) To decrease bacteria in the soil.

BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+APPL.(LOOSELEAF)
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305967359
Author:STARR
Publisher:STARR
Chapter42: Ecosystems
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 12SA: Plants obtain ______ by taking it up from the air. a. nitrogen c. phosphorus b. carbon d. water
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The practice of crop rotation uses nitrogen fixation to create fertile fields. First, a plant without a nitrogen-fixing relationship, such as corn, is planted. After the harvest, a nitrogen-fixing plant replaces the initial crop. Instead of harvesting the nitrogen-fixing plant, however, it is plowed under. The cycle continues in this manner. Why would nitrogen-fixing plants be plowed under instead of harvested? 
 
a) To increases usable nitrogen in the soil.
b) To increase water retention.
c) Nitrogen-fixing plants are not a food crop.
d) To decrease bacteria in the soil.
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