One method that farmers can use to conserve soil is crop rotation. Crop rotation involves alternating the crops grown in a particular field over time in a planned sequence or pattern. By doing so, it reduces the pest and disease pressure on the soil, improves soil fertility, and minimizes soil erosion. For instance, planting cover crops such as legumes like beans, clovers, and peas helps break pest and disease cycles, add nitrogen to the soil, and improve soil structure. Additionally, rotating crops also ensures that the required nutrients stay in the soil, and the soil is not degraded over time, maintaining soil quality for generations. Farmers can also use environmentally friendly agricultural practices such as reduced tillage, intercropping, and mulching to conserve soil.
