Crop Rotation
Growing crops in a recurring sequence in the same field can reduce soil erosion by wind and water movement, improve soil organic matter content, contribute to the management and balance of plant nutrients, and the management of pests.
Rotating high coverage crops such as hay with row crops such as corn will provide cover on the soil more often than a straight corn crop and will reduce the amount of erosion that occurs on that field. In addition, the management of different types of crop residues can help to increase the organic matter content in the soil and can help to retain moisture in drier areas.
Use of deep-rooted crops or cover crops in a rotation can help to remove excess nutrients from the soil profile. Alternating crops that are grown in a certain field can also reduce the need for pesticides by breaking up the availability of a pest’s preferred host and disturbing its life cycle.
