Crop rotation, soil conservation practices

Other nonstructural approaches to erosion control on agricultural land include contour plowing and crop or pasture rotation. Crop rotation is a practice where a sequence of crops are cultivated on the land over a series of seasons or years. Rotating crops improves soil structure and makes it more resistant to erosion, particularly when paired with conservation-tillage techniques. In addition, varying the crops grown can reduce reliance on herbicides and pesticides by, for example, changing the crop to one that creates field conditions that are less favorable to the weeds or pests of concern. 

Peters RD, Sturz AV, Carter MA, Sanderson JB (2003) Developing disease-suppressive soils through crop rotation and tillage management practices. Soil Till Res 72 181-192 Pfiffner L, Luka H (2003) Effects of low-input farming systems on carabids and epigeal spiders - a paired farm approach. Basic Appl Ecol 4 117-127 Pimentel D, Harvey C, Resosudarmo P, Sinclair K, Kurz D, McNair M, Crist S, Shpritz L, Fitton L, Saffouri R, Blair R (1995) Environmental and economic costs of soil erosion and conservation benefits. Science 267 1117-1123... 

---