Which agricultural technique aims to combine trees and crops for better soil health?

Alley cropping is an agricultural technique designed to enhance soil health by integrating trees and crops in the same area. This method involves planting rows of trees with crops cultivated in the spaces between them, creating a productive ecosystem that supports both plants. The trees provide shade, which can improve microclimates for the crops, while also contributing to soil fertility through leaf litter and root interactions.

This technique helps to prevent soil erosion, increases biodiversity, and can even enhance the overall yield of crops by utilizing the benefits provided by the trees. The shade from the trees can reduce water evaporation from the soil, and the deeper root systems of the trees can help in accessing nutrients that are otherwise unavailable to shallower-rooted crops. Overall, alley cropping fosters a symbiotic relationship between trees and crops, enhancing soil health and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

In contrast, the other methods mentioned do not focus on this combination of trees and crops for soil improvement. Hydroponics refers to growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution without soil, monoculture farming specializes in growing a single crop species, and vertical farming involves cultivating crops in stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces, often using controlled-environment agriculture. None of these practices emphasize the integration of trees and crops to benefit soil