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Crop rotation efficiencies and biological diversity in farming systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

David F. Bezdicek  and
David Granatstein
David F. Bezdicek
Affiliation:
Research Associate, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420.
David Granatstein
Affiliation:
Research Associate, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420.
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Abstract

The positive role of biological diversity in enhancing agricultural sustainability is presented in the context of crop rotation. Once common in virtually all farming systems, crop rotations have been simplified or eliminated during the past two decades from farming systems in most industrialized countries. Specialization, production intensification, government commodity programs, and the resulting short-term economic decisions have all had an influence in reducing crop rotation and diversity. Economic and environmental concerns have raised the question of agricultural sustainability in the public arena. We discuss here the role of diversity and crop rotation in relation to the sustainability issue, including matters of agronomic, economic, and environmental benefits, as well as increased efficiency in the use of fossil fuels. Constraints and future directions in the use of crop rotation in modern agriculture are described.

Keywords

monoculturegenetic uniformityplant epidemicsgenetic engineeringtransgenic plantsproduction inputssustainability
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 4 , Issue 3-4 , December 1989 , pp. 111 - 119
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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