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Why is it better to grow crops in rotation than to grow a single crop in monoculture?

Last Updated: November 29, 2007

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Crop rotation is preferred for several reasons: insect, disease, and weed pests that are specific to one crop are denied the opportunity to increase in successive years. The development of pesticide resistance is discouraged since control techniques are changed each year. The soil's capability to supply nutrients is enhanced since each crop species has different nutrient demands. Soil organic residue is increased since high biomass crops such as corn are alternated with low biomass producers such as cotton. Research results from a wide range of rotation systems have shown yield increases with rotations vs. monocropping, especially with reduced/conservation/no-tillage practices.

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