Break crops and crop rotations

Alternative crops in a break crop system should do several important things  

During the previous incarnation of long runs of cereals, one of the most difficirlt problems to overcome was that of the root disease take-all. This disease builds up in second, third and fourth wheats and then declines to manageable levels thereafter. Because it was soil-borne it was impossible to control other than by rotation and other cultural methods. Seed dressings are now available which can help to control take-all and this may lead to a revival of longer runs of wheat growing in the main arable areas, subject to CAP mles on diversification of cropping. 

The rotational use of crops in a fixed sequence around the farm is now the norm on most arable farms. Rotations can be flexible in terms of crops used and length 

There are nearly as many rotations as there are farmers. A typical combinable crop rotation might be  

Year 1 - oilseed rape Year 2 - first wheat Year 3 - winter beans Year 4 - first wheat Year 5 - peas Year 6 - first wheat Year 7 - winter barley 

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