No-till farming is described as

• A. A method for reducing soil erosion; plant stalks are left in the field after harvesting and the next year's crop is planted within the stalks without plowing.
• B. A method for increasing soil erosion by tilling.
• C. A technique for irrigating crops with saltwater.
• D. A system of crop rotation.

Answer: (A)

No-till farming centers on minimizing disturbance to the soil to protect its surface. By leaving crop residues—like stalks—on the field after harvest and planting the next crop directly through those residues without plowing, the soil is shielded from the impact of raindrops and wind. This protective cover slows water flow, reduces erosion, helps soil retain moisture, and preserves organic matter and soil structure. The other options describe actions that either disturb the soil (tilling, which can increase erosion), address irrigation in ways not related to soil protection (saltwater irrigation), or involve changing crops rather than how the soil is prepared (crop rotation).