Show Summary Details
Overview
crop rotation
Quick Reference
An agricultural practice in which different crops are cultivated in succession on the same area of land over a period of time so as to maintain soil fertility and reduce the adverse effects of pests. Legumes are important in the rotation as they are a source of nitrogen for the soil (see nitrogen fixation; root nodule). In the UK, other crops that may be included in a typical four-stage rotation are wheat, barley, and root crops. However, the use of pesticides enables the monoculture of crops in modern farming systems (see agriculture).
From: crop rotation in A Dictionary of Biology »
Subjects: Science and technology
