Contents
Crop Rotation (Definition, Advantage Disadvantage and Planning/Principles of Crop rotation)
Definition of Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is a process of growing different crop in regular recurrent succession on a piece of land for specific period of time.
Advantages/Importance of Crop Rotation
There are many Importance both direct and indirect. This are
1. Maintain soil fertility and productivity.
2. Ensure Economic use of soil resources.
3. Improve soil physical and biological condition.
4. Provide better weeds and insect control.
5. Prevent soil erosion.
6. Economize farm, labour and cost.
7. Provide economic utilization of manure and fertilizer.
8. Systematized the family business.
9. Crop diversification is possible.
10.Ultimately increase the crop yield.
Disadvantages / Limitations of Crop Rotation
1. Rotation are not always advisable.
2. In case of producing silage, such as maize or sorghum which are very heavy and bulky, it may be advisable to grow this crops on the field near silo pit.
3. Weather condition an other accidents may interfere the rotation.
4. Soil type may be suited for only 1 or 2 crops.
5. Soil topography restricted to grow more than one crop in particular locality.
Planning/Principles of Crop rotation
1. Local demand for the crop is the prime consideration.
2. It should have flexibility to introduce alternate crops under adverse condition.
3. It should include a food crop for consumption by the farmers and a fodder crop for livestock.
4. Smother or cover crop should be included in rotation to control soil.
5. Good rotation should include green manuring crops.
6. Good rotation should include leguminous crop.
7. Good rotation should include profitable cash crop.
8. Good rotation should include one tilled crop for eliminating weeds.
9. Good rotation should include heavily manured crop to increase nutrient status in soil.
10.Deep rooted crop should be followed by shallow rooted crops.
11.Adjustment of the crop should be made according to irrigation facilities.
12.During rotation the land should be kept fallow for one season.
13.Grain crops should be followed by leguminous crops.
14.The suitability of the crop should be taken into consideration.
15.The rotation and feeding system should provide for keeping up the organic matter of the soil.
