What is a potential consequence of monoculture farming?

Monoculture farming involves growing a single crop species over a large area for consecutive seasons. While this practice can have short-term economic benefits, such as reduced labor and lower production costs, it significantly raises the risk of pests and diseases. This happens because a uniform crop environment creates ideal conditions for pests and pathogens specialized to target that specific crop.

For instance, if a pest is introduced, it may thrive and multiply rapidly as there are no alternative plants to disrupt its life cycle. Additionally, the lack of genetic diversity in monoculture systems makes it easier for diseases to spread. When a disease weakens or kills one type of crop, it often does so on a large scale without the presence of other, resistant varieties that might be found in a more diversified cropping system.

In contrast, other options, such as enhanced crop diversity, improved soil fertility, and lower input costs, do not accurately reflect the consequences of monoculture farming. Enhanced crop diversity is typically achieved through polyculture or mixed cropping systems, which can help mitigate pest issues. Improved soil fertility is more commonly associated with practices that include crop rotation and organic amendments, while lower input costs can be a temporary advantage of monoculture but may not be sustainable in the long term due to the increased reliance