The Dust Bowl · US History

Which agricultural practice significantly contributed to the environmental vulnerability of the Great Plains before the Dust Bowl?

  1. Crop rotation and fallowing
  2. Extensive deep-plowing of native prairie grasses
  3. The use of organic fertilizers and composting techniques
  4. The widespread planting of cover crops
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Extensive deep-plowing of native prairie grasses

Farmers removed the deep-rooted native grasses that held the soil in place to plant wheat. Without these roots, the topsoil became loose and easily swept away when drought and high winds struck the region.

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