What is crop rotation?

Crop rotation refers to the practice of changing the type of crop grown in a particular area periodically. This agricultural technique is beneficial for several reasons. It helps to manage soil fertility by ensuring that different nutrients are used and replenished. For instance, legumes can fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit subsequent crops. Additionally, crop rotation can break pest and disease cycles, as different crops can attract different pests, reducing the overall pest population. This practice also promotes biodiversity within the farming ecosystem, making the overall farming system more resilient.

In contrast, the other choices represent different agricultural practices that do not encapsulate the concept of crop rotation. Planting the same crop every year can deplete soil nutrients and increase pest problems. Moving livestock between pastures pertains to grazing management rather than crop management. Lastly, farming with no tillage refers to a specific method of soil cultivation rather than the type of crops grown over time. Overall, the key aspect of crop rotation is the periodic change of crops, which helps maintain healthy and productive agricultural systems.