Question

2. You’ve probably heard that farmers “rotate their crops.” One year they will plant a “cash crop” (e.g., corn), and the next year they will plant alfalfa or clover in that field. Why do they do that? Include the role of microorganisms in your answer.

Answer 1

Farmers rotate their crops to maintain soil fertility and prevent pest and disease buildup. The process involves planting legume crops that have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which enriches the soil with nitrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why Farmers Rotate Their Crops

Farmers rotate their crops to maintain soil fertility, prevent pest and disease buildup, and improve overall crop yield. This practice helps prevent the depletion of essential nutrients in the soil that certain crops rely on heavily. When a cash crop like corn is planted continuously, it can deplete specific nutrients from the soil, making it less fertile for future crops.

The Role of Microorganisms

As part of the crop rotation process, farmers often plant legume crops like alfalfa or clover. Legumes have a fascinating symbiotic relationship with certain microorganisms called nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria reside in special structures called nodules on the legume roots and convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. This process enriches the soil with nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops that follow the legume crop in the rotation.

Learn more about Crop rotation