Crop rotation Usually, farmers do not grow only one crop in a field. Different crops are grown in different seasons.

Question

D) Crop rotation Usually, farmers do not grow only one crop in a field. Different crops are grown in different seasons. It has been seen that cercal crops take a lot of nutrients from the soil, but legume crops are different. While they do take nutrients from the soil, they also provide some nutrients to it. Growing leguminous crops result in an increase in the quantity of nitrogenous salts in the soil. Thus to grow a leguminous crop between cereal crops is beneficial either by croprotation or by mixed cropping. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are the important nutrients Let us observe their uses in the following table. Table-4: \begin{tabular}{|l|l|} \hline Nutrient & \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{ Uses } \\ \hline Nitrogen & New leaves, flowers arise fast. \\ \hline Phosphorus & Helps roots to penetrates deep in to the soil to absorb nutrients quickly \\ \hline Potassium & \begin{tabular}{l} Resistance towards pests, increases the quality of smell, colour, and taste \\ of fruits. \end{tabular} \\ \hline \end{tabular} To avoid nutrient deficiency in the soil, farmers cultivate alternate crops. A farmer cultivated sugar cane in his land for the last five years. Another farmer cultivated sugarcane in the first year and soya bean in the second year and sugarcane in third year. - In which case do you think has the land lost most of its nutrients? Crop rotation is the process in which one crop is followed by another crop on an agricultural field. Some best combinations for crop rotation are given below. - After cultivation of paddy, pulses/ groundnut has to be grown, followed by paddy again for cycle to continue. - After cultivation of tobacco, chilli has - After cultivation of redgram, maize/ paddy has to be grown for the cycle to go on. What is the benefit of crop rotation? When cereals are cultivated repeatedly, more nutrients are utilized. If legumes are grown in the soil, less nutrients are utilized. Not only this, they synthesize some nutrients into the soil. Do you find any crop rotation methods in your village? What are they? Ask your village elders and collect the information about it. E) Cultivating mixed crops - Have you ever seen two types of crops in the same field? - Which crops are grown in this way? - What are the uses of cultivating mixed crops? Discuss in groups and display your writings in your classroom. If more than one crop is cultivated in the same field then it is called mixed crop Because of mixed crop cultivation, the soil becomes fertile. The nutrients which are 112 (hallenges in Impros ing Agricultural Producines

Answer 1

Crop Rotation and Mixed Cropping: Enhancing Soil Fertility

Crop Rotation:
Crop rotation is an agricultural practice where different crops are grown in succession on the same piece of land over several growing seasons. This method helps maintain soil fertility and control pests and diseases. When farmers grow the same crop repeatedly (such as sugarcane year after year), the soil becomes depleted of certain nutrients that the crop continuously absorbs. For example, sugarcane requires a lot of nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, leading to nutrient depletion over time.

In contrast, leguminous crops (like soybeans or peas) are beneficial for crop rotation because they fix nitrogen in the soil. Legumes have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This improves the nitrogen content in the soil, helping subsequent crops grow better and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Comparing the Two Farming Scenarios:

• Case 1: Sugarcane for Five Consecutive Years:
  If a farmer grows sugarcane continuously for five years, the land will likely lose many of its essential nutrients, especially nitrogen and potassium, which sugarcane consumes in large amounts. Over time, the soil may become nutrient-deficient, and this can result in lower crop yields and the need for more external inputs like fertilizers to maintain soil fertility.

• Case 2: Sugarcane in the First Year and Soya Bean in the Second Year:
  In this scenario, the farmer alternates between a high-nutrient-consuming crop (sugarcane) and a leguminous crop (soya bean). The soya bean plants will help restore nitrogen levels in the soil, reducing the depletion of soil nutrients. As a result, the land will not lose nutrients as rapidly as in the first case. This approach is beneficial for long-term soil health.

In conclusion, the land will lose the most nutrients in Case 1, where only sugarcane is grown continuously. Case 2, with crop rotation (sugarcane followed by soybeans), helps replenish nitrogen in the soil, making it a better choice for sustaining soil fertility.

Benefits of Crop Rotation:

• Prevention of Nutrient Depletion: Different crops use different nutrients in varying quantities. Growing diverse crops can prevent the depletion of any one nutrient. For example, after a crop like paddy that consumes a lot of nitrogen, growing pulses or groundnut (which are legumes) helps restore nitrogen to the soil.

• Reduction of Pests and Diseases: Rotating crops helps break the life cycle of pests and diseases that affect a specific crop. If the same crop is grown year after year, pests and diseases can accumulate in the soil, making it harder to control them.

• Improved Soil Structure and Fertility: Growing a variety of crops helps maintain the physical structure of the soil, preventing erosion and compaction. Leguminous crops also enhance the nitrogen content of the soil, improving its overall fertility.

Examples of Crop Rotation:

• Paddy → Pulses/Groundnut → Paddy:
  After cultivating paddy, a farmer can grow pulses or groundnut, both of which add nitrogen to the soil. After the leguminous crops, paddy can be grown again, continuing the cycle.

• Tobacco → Chilli:
  After growing tobacco, farmers can grow chilli, which helps maintain soil fertility and reduces pest buildup.

• Redgram → Maize/Paddy:
  After cultivating redgram (a leguminous crop), maize or paddy can be grown, ensuring a balance of nutrients in the soil.

Mixed Cropping:

Mixed cropping is another technique where two or more crops are grown together in the same field during the same growing season. This method can provide multiple benefits:

• Risk Reduction: If one crop fails due to pests, disease, or bad weather, the other crops may still thrive, reducing overall risk.
• Better Land Use: Mixed cropping makes more efficient use of land, as different crops may use different resources (e.g., water, sunlight, nutrients), allowing for higher productivity per unit area.
• Enhanced Soil Fertility: Growing different types of crops together can help improve soil health by using different nutrients and reducing soil erosion. For example, a combination of a nitrogen-fixing legume with a nutrient-demanding crop can maintain soil balance.

Questions for Further Exploration:

• Do you see any crop rotation methods in your village?
  It's important to talk to local farmers and elders about traditional agricultural practices. Many villages may use specific crop rotation systems based on local knowledge and available crops.

• What mixed crops are grown in your area?
  Farmers in many regions practice mixed cropping, such as planting beans alongside maize or groundnut with cotton. Discussing these practices with local farmers can give you insights into the benefits they see in terms of soil health and crop yields.

In conclusion, both crop rotation and mixed cropping are effective methods for maintaining soil fertility, controlling pests, and improving crop productivity. They can help farmers reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers and ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture.