What agricultural practice involves planting different crops successively to improve soil conditions?

The practice that involves planting different crops successively to improve soil conditions is known as crop rotation. This method helps to maintain soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and optimize the use of nutrients. By varying the type of crops planted each season, farmers can enhance the soil structure and reduce the buildup of pathogens and pests that often occurs when the same crop is grown repeatedly in a mono cropping system.

In crop rotation, each type of crop has different nutrient requirements and root structures, which allows for a more balanced use of soil nutrients and promotes biodiversity in agricultural practices. For instance, leguminous crops can fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting subsequent crops that require higher nitrogen levels. This holistic approach not only supports healthier crop growth but also aids in sustainability by reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers and minimizing environmental impact.

Other agricultural practices mentioned, such as mono cropping, focus on a single crop over large areas, depriving the soil of varied nutrient inputs. Organic farming emphasizes the use of organic inputs but does not inherently involve crop rotation as a necessary practice. Hydroponics, on the other hand, involves growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution without soil and does not relate to soil improvement through crop succession. Thus, crop rotation stands out as the best