What does crop rotation mean and why is it recommended?
Answer. Crop rotation refers to the practice of growing different (usually unrelated) crops in the same location in subsequent seasons. This practice is recommended as a disease management practice, amongst other reasons. Some pathogens form spores that can persist for long periods of time in the soil; over time the viability of these spores declines. Other pathogens persist in the soil on crop debris. By planting a non-host in the site where a disease problem previously occurred, a natural reduction in the number of surviving spores can occur.
