What agricultural practice improves produce quality by providing loose soil around the base of plants?

Hilling is an agricultural practice that involves forming mounds of soil around the base of plants. This technique serves several purposes, primarily aimed at improving produce quality. By providing loose soil around plants, hilling enhances drainage and aeration, which are crucial for healthy root development. The improved soil structure allows for better water retention and access to nutrients, leading to stronger plants that can produce higher quality fruits or vegetables.

Additionally, hilling can help to control weeds and protect delicate stems from disease or damage due to excess moisture. It creates a microenvironment that can improve plant resilience against adverse weather conditions. The act of hilling is especially beneficial for certain crops, such as potatoes and corn, where it can promote better tuber or ear formation.

Other options like weeding, tilling, and fertilizing each have their roles in agriculture but do not specifically focus on improving the loose soil structure around the base of plants in the same way that hilling does. Weeding primarily targets unwanted plants, tilling involves turning over the soil for preparation or incorporating organic matter, while fertilizing focuses on adding nutrients rather than modifying the soil structure around the plants.