Ramlal has been cultivating wheat crop year after year in the same field. Recently he has observed decline in the yield despite best inputs. Agriculture inspector of the area suggested him to sow some legume crop (e.g., pea, chick pea or soyabean) for one or two years before again using the field for wheat crop. What is the logic behind this suggestion.

Answer

N/a

Explanation

Sowling the same crop in the same field year after year results in reduction of nutrients from the particular depth of the soil, increase in populations of soil borne pathogens and pests of wheat crop and growth of weeds, infections and infestations. Gowing some root nodules containing legume crops such as pea, chick pea, soyabean, etc., in the field will improve soil structure and fertility as it will draw water and nutrients from different levels of soil and add nitrogen salts to the soil (Box 1.31). Weeds, soil borne pathogens and pests of wheat crops will be eliminated as they do not find their host.