Crop rotation

The rotation of crops is not only necessary to offer a diverse "diet" to the soil microorganisms, but as they root at different soil depths, they are capable of exploring different soil layers for nutrients. Nutrients that have been leached to deeper layers and that are no longer available for the commercial crop, can be "recycled" by the crops in rotation. This way the rotation crops function as biological pumps. Furthermore, a diversity of crops in rotation leads to a diverse soil flora and fauna, as the roots excrete different organic substances that attract different types of bacteria and fungi, which in turn, play an important role in the transformation of these substances into plant available nutrients. Crop rotation also has an important phytosanitary function as it prevents the carry-over of crop-specific pests and diseases from one crop to the next.

The effects of crop rotation:

• Higher diversity in plant production and thus in human and livestock nutrition.
• Reduction and reduced risk of pest and weed infestations.
• Greater distribution of channels or biopores created by diverse roots (various forms, sizes and depths).
• Better distribution of water and nutrients through the soil profile.
• Exploration for nutrients and water of diverse strata of the soil profile by roots of many different plant species resulting in a greater use of the available nutrients and water.
• Increased nitrogen fixation through certain plant-soil biota symbionts and improved balance of N/P/K from both organic and mineral sources.
• Increased humus formation.

Means and practices:

• Design and implementation of crop rotations according to the various objectives: food and fodder production (grain, leaf, stalks); residue production; pest and weed control; nutrient uptake and biological subsurface mixing / cultivation, etc.
• Use of appropriate / improved seeds for high yields as well as high residue production of above-ground and below-ground parts, given the soil and climate conditions.