What crops were discovered that could replenish the nutrients of the soil?
1 Answer
ALL crops deplete nutrients in the soil. Rotation of crops can mitigate that, along with plowing under the crop residues.
Explanation:
Beans are the only crop that "replenishes" a specific nutrient ("fixing" nitrogen"). Compost and manure may be added to avoid chemically-manufactured fertilizers, but no plants "add" nutrients back into the soil.
Corn uses a lot of nitrogen, so planting it after a crop of nitrogen-fixing beans will do wonders for your growth.
Cabbage and broccoli are heavy feeders, so rotating them with light feeders such as carrots and onions will help keep the soil healthy.
An example of healthy crop rotation for a garden would be beans — leaves — roots — fruits:
beans and peas (beans)
cabbage, broccoli and spinach (leaves)
carrots, onions and beets (roots)
squash, pumpkin (fruits)
http://indianapublicmedia.org/eartheats/beginners-guide-gardening-crop-rotation/
The primary reason for crop rotation is to minimize pest and disease infestations.
Soil borne diseases build up when similar plants grow in the same space for more than a year.
http://www.groworganic.com/organic-gardening/articles/quick-guide-to-vegetable-families-for-crop-rotation
