Assignment: Crop Rotation

Agron-405

Submitted To: Dr.Sarwar

Submitted By: Muhammad Saleem Ullah

AGB 15-01

Department of Agronomy

Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan

Crop Rotation: It is defined as a process of growing different crops in

succession on a piece of land in a specific period of time without decreasing the
soil fertility.

Objective of Crop Rotation:

1. Proper utilization of nutrients.

2. Use of natural resources throughout the year.

3. Control of soil erosion.

4. Use of labor and implements throughout the year.

5. Economy in use of irrigation water.

6. Control of diseases and insect-pests.

7. Improvement of soil properties.

Principles of Crop Rotation:

1. Leguminous crops should be grown after non-leguminous crops.

2. More exhaustive crops should be followed by less exhaustive.

3. Crops with deep root system should be grown after crops with shallow roots.

4. Crops with high water requirement should be followed by crops with less water
requirement.

5. Crops with high soil erosion should be followed by crops with less soil erosion.

6. Crops which requires less inter-culturing should be followed by crops requiring

high inter-culturing.

7. Crops requiring high fertilizer should be followed by crops requiring less

fertilizer.

8. More expensive crops followed by less expensive crops.

9. Crops of same family should not be grown.

10. Selection of crop should be based on demand and problem.

11. Selection of crops should depend on farmer’s financial status.

12. Selection of crop should be done according to soil and climate.

Selection of Crop Rotation:

Selection of crop rotation depends upon:

1. Climate

2. Soil

3. Precipitation

4. Management

5. Economic factor

Types of Crop Rotations:

Two main categories;

1. According to their residual effect.

A) Exhaustive Rotation

B) Restorative Rotation

2. According to their periods.

A) Long duration crop rotation

More than 2 years.

B) Short duration crop rotation

More than 1 year.

Advantages of Crop Rotation:

1. A balance in soil fertility is maintained by CR.

2. Soil erosion is controlled.

3. Insects, pests and diseases are controlled.

4. Economy in use of irrigation water.

5. Economy in use of manures and fertilizers.

6. Proper utilization of land, labor, animal and machinery.

7. Physical and chemical properties of soil are improved.

8. Avoids accumulations of toxins.

9. Controls weeds in the field.

10. Encourages soil microbial activities.

Limitations of Crop Rotation:

1. Specialization in one crop is not possible.

2. Allopathic effect of preceding crop.

3. Serves as alternate host for pest and diseases.

4. Requirement of equipment and machineries varies from crop to crop.