Which practice can improve soil fertility?

Implementing crop rotation is a practice that significantly improves soil fertility by enhancing the diversity of crops grown in a particular area over time. This approach allows for the replenishment of essential nutrients in the soil and can help break pest and disease cycles associated with mono-cropping. Different crops have varying nutrient requirements and capabilities for nutrient uptake, so rotating crops can help maintain a balanced nutrient profile in the soil.

For instance, legumes are often utilized in crop rotations because they have the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil, enriching it and benefiting subsequent crops that may not have the same capacity. Additionally, crop rotation can improve soil structure and reduce soil erosion, leading to healthier soil ecosystems that contribute to increased fertility.

On the other hand, while synthetic fertilizers can provide quick nutrient boosts, they may lead to long-term degradation of soil health if used excessively without practices that maintain organic matter. Similarly, reducing tillage has benefits related to soil structure and erosion control but may not directly contribute to nutrient cycling as effectively as a well-planned crop rotation. Planting cover crops is another excellent practice for improving soil fertility, as these crops can add organic matter and nutrients back into the soil, but the primary emphasis in this context is on the comprehensive benefits that well