What technique is often used to control soil erosion in agricultural fields?

Contour farming is an effective technique for controlling soil erosion in agricultural fields. This practice involves plowing and planting across the slope of the land rather than up and down, which helps maintain the natural topography and water flow patterns. By following the contours of the land, this method reduces runoff and encourages water infiltration into the soil. The furrows created by contour farming act as barriers to water flow, which helps capture moisture and reduces the speed of surface water runoff, thus minimizing soil erosion.

In contrast, techniques like hydroseeding focus more on quickly establishing vegetation through the application of a seed mix with mulch and fertilizer, and while lateral planting may refer to various planting techniques, it doesn't specifically address erosion control. Cover cropping is beneficial for soil health and erosion prevention but focuses on using specific crops to cover the soil, rather than the arrangement of crops to follow the landscape’s contours. Each method has its own merits, but contour farming is specifically designed to combat soil erosion effectively.