Description of practice

Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in succession on a piece of land to avoid exhausting the soil. It reduces soil erosion, increases fertility and yield, and controls weeds, pests and diseases.

Examples of how to use crop rotation/diversification Further information
(see Note below)

AMP37 01

Crop rotation with legumes

Legumes are included in a crop rotation with cereals and other crops because of their nitrogen fixation potential. Legumes help to maintain soil fertility and reduce the use of fertilizer.

 

»WOCAT technology 1123

AMP37 02

Crop rotation to promote safe vegetables

Vegetables from different plant families are include in the rotation. The occurrence of pests and diseases is reduced, and crop production improved with reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

 

»WOCAT technology 3165

AMP37 03

Organic agriculture

Organic agriculture is based on a 5 year crop rotation with no use of artificial plant protection products and mineral fertilizers. Nitrogen is introduced via organic manure, legume crops and residues.

 

»WOCAT technology 2795

AMP37 04

Cereals and fodder legumes (lupine)

Lupine is included in a biennial crop rotation with cereals. Lupine is able to grow on poor and stony soils, it improves soil quality, controls erosion and provides fodder.

 

»WOCAT technology 1031

AMP37 05

Rotation program

A diverse rotation of at least five crops within a farm is used for more biodiversity and less intensive cultivation practice. There are positive impacts on the soil and reduced use of inputs.

 

»WOCAT technology 5617

AMP37 06

Agroforestry community garden

A rotation of horticulture (during the dry season) and millet (during the rainy season) is used within an agroforestry system, enclosed and protected by a live fence of Prosopis juliflora.

 

»WOCAT technology 1566

AMP37 07

Diversification of crops in salinized soils with legumes and green manure

An existing crop rotation is improved by including legumes and green manure: wheat/legumes/ green manure/cotton ensures year-round soil cover and slows down secondary salinization.

 

»WOCAT technology 3632

AMP37 08

Crop diversification with the application of rotation techniques

Crop diversification is achieved with rotating eleven crop varieties each with an average lifespan of 3 months: spring onions, anise basil, Cambodian mint, bok​​​​ choy, choy sum, escarole, mint, long beans, cucumbers, bitter melons and lettuce.

 

»WOCAT technology 3145


Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.

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