Is crop rotation practiced in America?  I would have thought that a  gap of
several years between a particular crop being planted, while others of
different types, or grazing, in would greatly reduce the prevalence of pests
and  the need for treatments.
 


Great question.  In most regions what we refer to as Row crops,  are rotated
some with a 2 year cycle and some slightly more.  Rice, orchards and most
wheat do not get rotated as much due to things like  Rice being flooded,
much wheat grows in poor soil, or a very short growing window.

The part most do understand is rotation is generally for soil health and
weed control.  Most pest,  as in insects  are far to mobile to be controlled
with simple crop rotation.  The other issues is breeding rates.  Many of the
crop pest can quite literally explode in a few weeks,  at rates that would
make bees jealous!

Other pest like root worms and wireworms   rotation can help greatly,  but
not eliminate them  some like wire worms can live on almost any plant,  and
are prevalent in great numbers in all  crops and grounds,  these types
damage  things like grasses and forages also,  but not at the level or
concern that they do in crops grown for food production.

Does that answer the question??

Charles

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