Which of the following is an example of a smother crop?

• A. Soybeans
• B. Barley
• C. Alfalfa
• D. Rye

Answer: (B)

Smother crops are cover crops grown mainly to shade the soil and outcompete weeds, reducing weed growth and soil erosion while improving soil health. Barley fits this role well because it germinates quickly and forms a dense stand that blocks sunlight, making it effective at suppressing weed seedlings. After it serves its purpose, barley biomass can be tilled into the soil as green manure to add organic matter and nutrients.

The other options are used for different purposes: soybeans and alfalfa are primarily grown for harvest as crops (seed or forage), not mainly to smother weeds. Rye can also serve as a smother crop in many contexts, but barley is the example highlighted here for providing dense canopy to suppress weeds.