Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is the practice of growing different plant species in a specific order in the same field over successive growing seasons. The sequence can be designed and managed to minimise the exposure of bare soil to wind erosion. The succession of varied root structures can also reduce the potential for erosion and emissions by producing more cohesive soil aggregates. A common agricultural practice for thousands of years, crop rotation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve crop yields and soil fertility. Although crop selection and sequencing must be adapted to local environmental conditions, the most effective way to combat wind erosion is to use rotations with cover crops that maintain continuous soil cover, maximise surface residue, and incorporate deep-rooted or perennial crops. The sequence can be planned so that the nutrients required by one crop are provided by the residues of the previous crop. This helps to mitigate pests and diseases, and avoid soil exhaustion. This practice can be combined with conservation tillage, whereby crop residues are left on the soil to reduce wind erosion and provide organic mulching as the next crop grows.

Case Studies

In Kyrgyzstan, agrarian reforms in 1991 resulted in agricultural land being fragmented into small family farms. While this improved equity, many landowners lacked the resources, skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable farm management. Consequently, the continuous cultivation of the same crops led to a rapid decline in soil fertility and increased water and wind erosion and salinisation. A three-plot crop rotation system involving maize, cabbage and potatoes was introduced at farm level through a joint GEF-FAO project, which included field training and demonstration plots. Land users reported that this improved their farm income, while reducing costs associated with pest and disease control, fertiliser application, and weed management.

In Slovenia, more diverse rotations of arable crops, forage plants, herbs, and vegetables across successive years was promoted and supported by the Agri-Environmental-Climate Payments scheme of the EU Common Agricultural Policy. A structured five-year rotation, incorporating a flowering grass mixture, winter barley, grain maize, wheat and oil pumpkins, with legumes integrated every three to four years, was introduced to optimise nutrient use, maintain continuous soil cover, and improve soil structure while reducing erosion and nutrient leaching. Although it delivers significant agronomic and environmental benefits, this management approach requires detailed planning, scheduling, and market research which increase labour requirements and production complexity, particularly for smaller or less technically experienced farming operations.

References and Good Practice Guidance

• The effects of wind erosion depending on cropping system and tillage method in a semi-arid region
• Exploring the plant and soil mechanisms by which crop rotations benefit farming systems
• Crop rotations synergize yield, nutrition, and revenue: a meta-analysis
• Critical review of the impact of cover crops on soil properties
• A methodological approach for deriving regional crop rotations as basis for the assessment of the impact of agricultural strategies using soil erosion as example
• CropRota–A crop rotation model to support integrated land use assessments
• Crop rotation on organic farms: a planning manual
• FAO What is the best cropping sequence for the farm?
• UNEP Crop Rotation