Conservation of soil fertility employs crop rotation because
Answer Details
Conservation of soil fertility employs crop rotation because it allows the utilization of soil nutrients at different levels. Different crops require different nutrients from the soil, and they absorb these nutrients at different rates. When the same crop is planted in the same soil year after year, it depletes the soil of specific nutrients. This leads to reduced crop yields, as the soil becomes less fertile.
Crop rotation involves growing different crops in the same field in a planned sequence over several years. This practice helps to maintain soil fertility by allowing the soil to replenish depleted nutrients. For example, leguminous crops such as beans and peas can help to increase the nitrogen content of the soil, which is essential for plant growth. Other crops such as corn and wheat absorb different nutrients, allowing the soil to recover from the previous crop.
In this way, crop rotation encourages healthy growth of plants and prevents the buildup of pests and diseases that target specific crops. It also helps to reduce soil erosion, which can lead to the loss of topsoil and a decrease in soil fertility.