What is a known consequence of using iron tools in agriculture?

Using iron tools in agriculture enhances efficiency in farming due to their durability and strength compared to tools made from earlier materials such as wood or stone. Iron tools enable farmers to perform tasks more effectively, whether it's tilling the soil, planting seeds, or harvesting crops. The robustness of iron allows for better penetration into the soil, improving the overall productivity of agricultural practices. This efficiency leads to improved labor output and enables farmers to cultivate larger areas with greater ease, often resulting in increased agricultural yields.

The other options present various challenges in agriculture, but they do not reflect the direct benefits associated with the use of iron tools. Soil compaction can occur from various practices, and while it is a concern, it is not specifically a result of using iron tools. Reduced crop yield might be influenced by numerous factors like climate or soil health, but the use of efficient iron tools generally aims to counteract these issues rather than contribute to them. Soil degradation can result from different agricultural practices and is often linked to overuse, erosion, or inadequate soil management, rather than the intrinsic properties of iron tools themselves.