Drawing Conclusions and Making a
Recommendation
Having studied the data for patterns and trends, you should now be able to draw some
conclusions and make recommendations to the farmer about what soil and soil additives
he should use for each crop to attain the best crop yield with the lowest environmental
impact. Include the following:
● What was the best soil type for each crop?
● What were the optimum soil conditions for each crop?
● How did crop impact relate to environmental impact?
● If the farmer chooses to grow only one crop, which one would you recommend?
Why?
Corn
Soybeans
Sunflowers
Based on the data and analysis, the following conclusions and recommendations can be made:
1. Best soil type for each crop:
- Corn: The best soil type for corn is loam, as it allows for good water drainage and retention, nutrient availability, and aeration.
- Soybeans: Soybeans thrive in well-drained, high-quality clay or sandy loam soil.
- Sunflowers: Sunflowers do well in moderately fertile, loose, and well-drained soils, such as loam or sandy loam.
2. Optimum soil conditions for each crop:
- Corn: Corn prefers a soil pH between 6 and 7, adequate moisture, and sufficient levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Soybeans: Soybeans require a soil pH between 6 and 7.5, good drainage, and ample levels of phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.
- Sunflowers: Sunflowers need a soil pH between 6 and 7.5, well-drained soil, and adequate levels of nitrogen and phosphorus.
3. Crop impact and environmental impact:
- The crop impact is the yield or productivity of a specific crop, while the environmental impact refers to the consequences of agricultural practices on the environment. High crop impact does not necessarily mean high environmental impact, as sustainable farming practices can mitigate negative effects on the environment.
4. Recommendation for growing only one crop:
- Based on the data and considering the farmer's goal of achieving the best crop yield with the lowest environmental impact, soybeans would be the recommended crop. Soybeans have relatively high crop impact and can be grown in a variety of soil types while requiring fewer soil additives and fertilizers compared to corn. Additionally, soybeans have the potential for improving soil health by fixing nitrogen. This choice would not only maximize crop yield but also minimize the environmental impact.