FIRST QUARTER

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Module 6

Soil Conservation
Are you In or Out?
Most Essential Learning Competency: Give
ways of conserving and protecting the soil.
(S11ES-Ih-i-18)

To the Learners

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb
you while enjoying the lessons. Read instructions below to successfully enjoy the
objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Read and understand all the contents carefully. Follow the instructions
indicated.
2. Writing enhances learning. Keep this in mind and take note of the important
concepts in your notebook.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers.
5. Analyze the post-test and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

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 Expectations
This module was designed to help you identify the different ways of
conserving and protecting the soil for future generations.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Give different ways of conserving and protecting the soil for future generation

Pre-Test
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
C
1. Identify what method of soil conservation plows along the curves, or contours, of a
slope.
A. Crop Rotation C. Contour Plowing
B. Terrace Farming D. Conservation Tillage

D 2. What do you call the method of soil conservation that leaves the previous year’s
residue on fields before and after planting the next crop?
A. Crop Rotation C. Contour Plowing
B. Terrace Farming D. Conservation Tillage

A 3. If you are a farmer and you plant different crops on the same field in different years
or growing seasons, what method of soil conservation are you practicing?
A. Crop Rotation C. Contour Plowing
B. Terrace Farming D. Conservation Tillage

B 4. Identify what method of soil conservation is shown when rows of trees are planted
between fields to “break”, or reduce, the force of winds that can carry off soil.
A. Contour Plowing C. Contour Plowing
B. Windbreaks D. Terrace Farming
D 5. How will you describe terrace farming?
A. Rows of trees planted between fields C. Plows along the contours of a slope
B. Barren land with seasonal crops D. Flat, step-like areas on hillside

Looking Back
From your previous lessons, you learned that soil is a non-renewable natural
resource. The way people use land can affect the levels of nutrients and pollution in soil.
There are different activities that humans execute that make the soil lose its quality as
well as its quantity.

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 Different Ways on How Soil Loss Its Quality and Quantity
1. Soil Erosion
2. Soil Compaction
3. Desertification

Three Main Activities that Affect the Quality of Soil

1. Farming
2. Construction of Structure
3. Waste Disposal

Brief Introduction

Soil conservation is very important because the soil is non-renewable which

means that it is difficult or impossible to replace once it has been lost. Soil formation
takes a very long time and undergoes different stages and processes.

Soil conservation is defined as the prevention of loss of the topmost layer of the
soil from erosion or prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage, acidification,
salinization, or other chemical soil contamination.

There are methods that can protect and conserve soil at the same time. The goal
is to reduce erosion and to ensure the soil’s fertility.

METHODS OF SOIL CONSERVATION:

1. Crop Rotation

https://www.eagrovision.com/crop-rotation/

Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops on the same field in
different years or growing seasons. It mitigates the build-up of pathogens and pests that
often occurs when one species is continuously cropped. It can also improve soil
structure and fertility by alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants.

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Advantages of Crop Rotation
 increases soil fertility
 increases crop yield
 increases soil nutrients
 reduces soil erosion
 limits the concentration of pests and diseases
 reduces the stress of weeds
 improves the soil structure
 reduces pollution
 diversification and Reduced Cost of Production
 nutrient uptake regulation

Disadvantages of Crop Rotation

 involves risk
 improper implementation can cause much harm
 obligatory crop diversification
 requires more knowledge and skills
 the difference in growing conditions

2. Terrace Farming

https://www.quora.com/What-is-terrace-farming-Where-is-it-practiced

Terrace farming uses “steps” called Andenes (Spanish term for platform), which
is a step-like terrace that are built on the side of the mountain or hill. On each step,
various crops are planted, and when it rains, instead of washing away all of the nutrients
in the soil, the nutrients are carried down on the next level.
It is one of the oldest types of land and water resource management for large-
scale farming.

Advantages of Terrace Farming

 reduces both the amount and velocity of water moving across the soil surface
 permits more intensive cropping

Disadvantages of Terrace Farming

 requires a huge inputs of labor to construct and maintain
 unmaintained terraces can lead to mudslides
 rainwater saturation of the ground

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3. Contour Plowing

https://www.wattpad.com/111312422-ways-to-control-soil-erosion-contour-plowing

It is the practice of plowing along the curves, or contours, of a slope. The rows
form slow water run-off during rainstorms to prevent soil erosion and allow the water
time to settle into the soil. It helps channel rainwater so that it does not run straight
downhill, carrying away the soil with it.

4. Windbreaks

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/show/talk-of-iowa/2017-03-24/establishing-and-restoring-windbreaks

Windbreaks are rows of trees planted between fields to “break”, or reduce, the
force of winds that can carry off soil. They are designed to enhance crop production,
protect people and livestock, and benefit soil and water conservation.

Advantages of Terrace Farming

 modifies the climate in the areas they shelter
 reduce soil erosion
 increase crop yield
 protects livestock from heat and cold
 can shield buildings and roads
 beautifies the landscape and provide travel routes and habitat for wildlife

Disadvantages of Terrace Farming

 money and time are needed to plant the trees
 the area in which the windbreak is planted is a lost to production
 needs maintenance to function properly

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5. Conservation Tillage

https://www.morningagclips.com/field-day-focuses-on-conservation-tillage/

Conservation tillage is any method of soil cultivation that leaves the previous
year’s residue (such as corn stalks or wheat stubble) on fields before and after planting
the next crop to reduce soil erosion and run-off, as well as other benefits such as carbon
sequestration (MDA, 2011). It includes several methods of reducing the number of times
fields are tilled, or plowed, in a year. Remember the less soil is disturbed by plowing,
the less likely it is to be washed or blown away.

Sustainable soil management:

1. increases soil organic matter content
2. keeps the soil surface vegetated
3. avoids excessive tillage
4. uses nutrients wisely
5. promotes crop rotation
6. reduces erosion
7. prevents soil compaction

Activity 1
Objective: Give ways to conserve the soil.
A. List down 5 practical ways to conserve the soil.
1. Reforestation
________________________________________________________________________
2. Agriculture Awareness
________________________________________________________________________
3. Planting crops
________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
Anti-urbanization
5. Soil Conservation
________________________________________________________________________

B. Make a poster showing how you as a student can protect and conserve the
soil for future generation.

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 Activity 2
Action Plan Making
Objective: Evaluate which soil conservation method is suitable to the country’s type of
soil.
Direction: If you are an environmentalist and you want to protect and save the soil,
how are you going to do it? Make an action plan that will show how you are planning
to do it. You may choose any one of the soil conservation method to help you with your
plan.
ACTION PLAN to PROTECT AND CONSERVE THE SOIL
Target Area/Place To Do Person Involved Time Duration
Banawe Rice Terraces Terrace Farming Rice Terraces Farmers 3 months
Batangas Crop Rotation Batangas Farmers 3 months
Samar Crop Rotation Samar Farmers 3 months

Activity 3
Objective: Recognize the similarities and differences of Contour Plowing and Terrace
Farming.
Direction: Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast Contour Plowing and Terrace
Farming.

Contour Plowing Terrace Farming

Terrace farming uses “

It is the practice of steps” called Andenes (
plowing along the curves, Spanish term for platform
or contours, of a slope. ), which is a step-like
Both
conserves terrace that are built on
soil the side of the mountain
nutrition. or hill.

 Remember
 Soil can be protected and conserved.
 Most soil conservation methods are designed to hold soil in place and keep it
fertile.
 Soil conservation methods: Crop rotation, Terrace Farming, Contour Plowing,
Windbreaks, and Contour Tillage.
 The effects of human activities on soil can be mitigated through sustainable soil
management such as increasing soil organic matter content, keeping the soil

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 surface vegetated, avoiding excessive tillage, using nutrients wisely, promoting
crop rotations, reducing erosion, and preventing soil compaction.

Check Your Understanding

Directions: Supply the missing words to complete the following statements.

What Have I Learned?

I learned that…
protected conserved
Soil must be (1) ______________ and (2) _______________ for future generations. (3)
Soil Conservation
__________________ is the prevention of loss of the topmost layer of the soil from erosion.
Crop Rotation
The common methods of soil conservation are: (4) ______________, (5) Windbreaks
__________, (6)
Terrace Farming Contour Plowing Contour Tillage
________________, (7) ________________ and (8) __________________.

Post-Test
Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
B
1. Soil is very important to maintain a good quality of life for humanity. It not only
plays a role in how things grow but also in the air that we breathe. The following are
methods that can protect and conserve the soil except
A. mulching B. deforestation C. afforestation D. crop rotation

B 2. Soil conservation is the prevention of soil loss from erosion or reduced fertility. Which
of the following activities shows soil conservation?
I. Salinization III. Contour Plowing
II. Acidification IV. Chemical soil contamination
A. I only C. II & IV only
B. III only D. I, II & IV

B 3. Soil nutrients can be lost but it can be replaced and can get your crop back to a
healthy yield by using this conservation method
A. leaching C. monocropping
B. windbreaks D. change of soil PH
B
4. The following are advantages of Crop Rotation except
A. Increases soil fertility
B. Requires more knowledge and skills
C. Limits the concentration of pests and diseases
D. Diversification and Reduced Cost of Production
D 5. The effects of human activities on soil can be mitigated through sustainable soil
management. Which of the following can help sustain the soil’s fertility?
I. Avoiding excessive tillage III. Keeping the soil surface vegetated
II. preventing soil compaction IV. Increasing soil organic matter content
A. II only B. I & III only C. I, III & IV D. I, II, III, & IV

Reflection
Direction: Complete the table.
What did you like most
about this lesson and
why?
What was the most
What are the things you
challenging or the least
have learned from this
interesting about this
lesson?
lesson?

I like how it taught me about I learned how soil is very Differentiating the pros &
the ways on how to take important on Earth. cons of every type of soil
care of Earth's soil . conservation.

Congratulations!!!!
You completed all the tasks in this module!!!
God Bless!!!