Crops have different nutrient requirements and affect soil balance differently. A good crop rotation plan increases soil fertility resulting into increased yields.
Benefits
Controls field pests and diseases since these attack specific crops.
Leguminous crops fix nitrogen in soil hence rejuvenating soils hence continuous balance of soil nutrients.
Rotation plan
Identify the type of soil on field by soil testing or through crop history to easily identify the suitable type of crop to grow.
Look back at the crop production history and intercrop if only one crop has previously been grown.
Decide on long term plan for cultivating the field that allows your field not to be burdened.
Do not follow heavy feeder crops with each other therefore always follow shallow feeders with deep feeders.
Plant a root vegetable before interchanging cereals with legumes to reduce the burden on soil.
Do not grow cereals on the same fields, always grow a legume or vegetable between to reduce burden on soil.
If land is available exchange growing fields for cereals and legumes to ensure that land fertility and disease control.
When land is small intercrop to control weeds, pest infestation and increase soil fertility.
