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What are the four main requirements in the design of organic crop rotations?
The 4 main requirements in the design of organic crop rotations are:
- 1) A balance must be achieved between fertility building crops (e.g. grass/clover, peas and beans) and fertility exploitative cropping (e.g. potatoes, cereals, vegetables). The percentage of fertility building crops in the rotation is not specified, but in most soils a minimum of 50% will be recommended. For example: For example: Ley - Ley - Ley - Potatoes - Winter wheat - Spring barley
- 2) Crops with differing root systems must be included
- 3) Rotations must include a leguminous crop to provide a balance of nitrogen in the soil for use by subsequent crops
- 4) Plants with similar pest and disease susceptibility must be separated by an appropriate time interval