Crop Rotation Equipment

Traditionally, this includes adding nitrogen to the soil while rotating crops through the area.  You can also rotate planting long rooted and shallow rooted plants.  

Crop rotation ensures that certain pests do not become established, as plants of the same family will have similar pests associated with them.  If you plant similar crops year after year, then these pests will become established and difficult to deal with.  Changing the types of plants can limit the amount of pests that are in the soil.  An example of this is the root knot nematode, which ultimately left unchecked will cut off the circulation of nutrients from the plant’s roots.  If you rotate your crops and grow a plant that is not a host for the nematode for one year, you can reduce the levels of nematode in the soil and replenish the soil for the susceptible plant in the next season. 

It is also possible to control weeds by using crop rotation.  There are specific weeds that may be difficult to separate from the desired crop such as the weed ergot and grains.  It is possible to stop the ergot growing cycle by growing a different crop for a season.  The sequence and choice of plants will depend on your climate, soil, and rain, as these factors will all affect the plants you can cultivate.  Crop rotation is a large part of organic farming and can reduce the effects of bad weather, slow the spread of disease and pests, and allow the land to be more productive.

Crop Rotation Equipment

By having a wide range of crops, you are able to spread the work over the season instead of having it concentrated over a short span of time.  It is important to consider the type of equipment you will need for each crop to help dictate which crops you should plant.  It may be possible to use some of the equipment you already have instead of having to buy new and expensive equipment.  Because of the expense of equipment and the fact that some equipment is only used for a short time, sharing between farms is common.  

Fruit crops will require fruit harvesting and processing equipment such as tree fruit harvesters, soft fruit harvesters, fruit tree shakers, fruit harvesting nets, hedgers, fruit crop washers, fruit brushing machinery, and fruit sorting and grading equipment.  Vegetable crops will require different harvesters for root crops versus other vegetable crops; root crops will require diggers; windrowers are needed for root and tuber crop; washing, cleaning, drying, and cooling equipment is needed as well as grading and sorting equipment and packaging lines.

Some Disadvantages Of Crop Rotation

There are some disadvantages of crop rotation, and it is up to you to determine if the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.  If you have a very complex crop rotation plan, then you may not be able to get the maximum profit from your crops, as the management and cost will be too great.  Additionally, the most profitable crop may not be able to be planted extensively as other crops are rotated in.  More crop specific equipment is needed, and this can add a heavy price tag to crop rotation if you do not have access or cannot rent or share the specialized equipment.  There is also not a lot of flexibility involved in a very complicated crop rotation scheme, as the labor needed and equipment are highly specialized. 

Some additional disadvantages of crop rotation include the need for extensive planning.  If you do not have a plan written down on paper, then it is very easy to remember the crop rotation order from year to year.  It can also be difficult to determine which crops to use if you are also using inter-planting.

Examples Of Crop Rotation

One example of crop rotation is as follows:  the first year you plant nitrogen consuming plants such as mustard, broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage, then the next year you change the crop to a light feeder such as leeks, onions, parsnips, carrots, or beetroot; the third year you plant a nitrogen fixer crop such as beans, soybeans, cowpeas, vetch, Lucerne, peas, and broad beans. The 4th year you plant heavy feeders such as potatoes, maize, pumpkin, and tomatoes, and then you begin the cycle again.  At the beginning of planting, you should add compost or manure, and this should be applied regularly every three years.  

Another example is to rotate between the types of crops each year, so the first year you plant a fruit crop, the second year a leaf crop, the 3rd year a root crop, and the 4th year a legume crop.  You could start with tomato, then plant cabbage, then carrots, and end with beans before starting the cycle again. Your planting beds should be properly prepared, as the fruit crop will require the most food; the leaf crop needs less than fruit, and so on.  The type of crop is adjusted based on the nutrients available in the soil. 

Benefits Of Crop Rotations 

I am of the opinion that the benefits of crop rotation greatly outweigh the disadvantages, and if you do the proper research and planning, you can get the maximum profit from all your land and crops.  Crop rotation prevents soil depletion, manages soil fertility, controls insects and pests, and reduces your need to use chemicals.  It can prevent disease, control weeds, and reduce pest buildup.  This is a great tool if you want to use organic farming or simply get the most out of your soil.  Crop rotation has been used for many years and has proven to be most effective at preventing soil erosion and maintaining the quality of soil.  You can easily come up with your own effective crop rotation plan by understanding your climate and soil.