Effectiveness of crop rotations

Campbell CA, Biederbeck VO, Wen G, Zentner RP, Schoenau J, Hahn D (1999a) Seasonal trends in selected soil biochemical attributes effects of crop rotation in the semiarid prairie. Can J Soil Sci 79 73-84... 

Plesofsky-vig N, Brambl R (1985) The heat shock response of fungi. Exp Mycol 9 187-194 Ploeg AT, Stapleton JJ (2001) Glasshouse studies on the effects of time, temperature and amendment of soil with broccoli plant residues on the infestation of melon plant by Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica. Nematology 3 855-861 Pokharel RR (1995) Effect of crop rotation and solarization on the population densities of rice root nematode Hirschmanniella spp. in Nepal. Int Rice Res Notes 20 28-29... 

TISDALL J.M. and OADES J.M. 1980. The effect of crop rotation on aggregation in a red-brown earth. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 1, 423-433. 

Leake, A.R. 1996. The effect of cropping sequences and rotational management an economic comparison of conventional, integrated and organic systems. Aspects of Applied Biology 47 185-195. 

McSorley, R., Dickson, D.W. Effect of tropical rotation crops on Meloidogyne incognita and other plant-parasitic nematodes. Suppl J Nematol 1995 27 535-544. 

Another approach to the prevention or reduction of enhanced biodegradation of pesticides involves the use of chemical/crop rotations. In 1984, a five-year study with herbicides and crops was established in a Dothan soil to evaluate the effect of these rotations on enhanced biodegradation. Sixteen treatments were evaluated including continuous corn and herbicide, continuous corn with herbicide rotation, and crop rotation (corn/soybeans) with herbicide rotation. Herbicides investigated included butylate, EPTC plus dietholate, alachlor, vernolate, and trifluralin. 

Nonchemical or traditional practices, such as weed seed removal, optimal crop seeding rates, crop selection, enhanced crop competitiveness, crop rotation, and mechanical weed control are all important components of an effective weed management program (458,459). In the context of modern intensive chemical herbicide appHcation, nonchemical practices may even represent an innovative approach to weed management and should receive careful consideration. 

Crop Rotations and Diversification. For thousands of years farmers have known that planting their crops in a new location about every 2 years helped reduce Insect, disease, and weed problems. Indeed, crop rotations are effective in reducing many pest problems and are often highly cost effective (15, 16). Unfortunately for many crops, the trend has been toward abandonment of rotations and increased monocultures. Where rotations are not practiced, certain pests tend to multiply as the crops are cultured on the same land year after year (23). As a result, the density of pest populations increases to levels that necessitate heavy pesticide applications. 

Crop rotation is the keystone of organic cropping systems and its importance is emphasized by all organic crop production standards, not only for its role in crop protection, but also for its contribution to soil fertility. Soil fertility may influence the severity of disease infection or offset its effects by accelerating the build-up of yield before the disease takes its toll. This aspect is considered further in Section 18.4.4. 

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... 

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