What term is used to describe the main crops or staples of early Native American agriculture?

What term is used to describe the main crops or staples of early Native American agriculture?

• A. American Agricultural Quintet
• B. American Food Triad
• C. American Vegetable Triad
• D. American Crop Circle

Answer: (C)

The term that best describes the main crops or staples of early Native American agriculture is the "American Food Triad," which typically refers to maize (corn), beans, and squash. These three crops were often grown together in a complementary system, known as "the Three Sisters," which maximized agricultural productivity and sustainability. Maize provided a structure for the beans to climb, beans enriched the soil by fixing nitrogen, and squash spread across the ground, preventing weeds and retaining moisture. This intercropping not only resulted in a diverse diet but also established a sustainable agricultural practice that supported various Native American communities. While the other terms may suggest agricultural principles, they do not accurately describe the specific trio of crops that formed the backbone of early Native American agriculture as effectively as the American Food Triad does.

The term that best describes the main crops or staples of early Native American agriculture is the "American Food Triad," which typically refers to maize (corn), beans, and squash. These three crops were often grown together in a complementary system, known as "the Three Sisters," which maximized agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Maize provided a structure for the beans to climb, beans enriched the soil by fixing nitrogen, and squash spread across the ground, preventing weeds and retaining moisture. This intercropping not only resulted in a diverse diet but also established a sustainable agricultural practice that supported various Native American communities.

While the other terms may suggest agricultural principles, they do not accurately describe the specific trio of crops that formed the backbone of early Native American agriculture as effectively as the American Food Triad does.