Which practice can enhance crop resilience to climate variability?

Implementing no-till farming is a practice that can significantly enhance crop resilience to climate variability. This method minimizes soil disturbance, which helps maintain soil structure, moisture, and organic matter levels. By preserving the soil’s integrity, no-till farming leads to improved water infiltration and retention, making crops more resilient during periods of drought as well as heavy rainfall. This stability in soil moisture is crucial in adapting to fluctuating weather patterns and extremes associated with climate change.

Additionally, no-till farming supports the development of beneficial soil organisms, enhances biodiversity, and reduces erosion, all of which contribute to healthier ecosystems. Healthy soil is better able to support crop growth under stress, thereby increasing overall resilience.

The other options, such as planting a single crop, regular soil testing, and short crop rotation, do not offer the same level of resilience to climate variability. Planting a single crop can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and disease, while short crop rotations may not provide enough diversity to buffer against changing conditions. Regular soil testing is important for understanding nutrient needs but doesn't directly enhance resilience to climate variability in the same systemic way that no-till practices do.