Crop Rotation

Crop rotation means planting different annual crops in a particular order over several years on the same field. Crop rotation helps to ensure long-term soil fertility as crops from different families have different requirements in terms of nutrients and rooting depth. Moreover, it prevents the accumulation and propagation of soil-borne diseases and pests. In Tajikistan, cultivating the same cash crops, e.g. potatoes in irrigated lands, is generally preferred over crop rotation.

A concept of thorough crop rotation includes cultivating legume fodder plants as alfalfa or esparcet for several years, which substantially improve soil quality. Moreover, pulses (chickpeas, green peas, lentils) can be used to promote crop rotation and crop diversification. These can also be planted as a second crop. Simultaneously, pulses fix nitrogen and thus improve soil fertility. Most of these crops besides attract pollinators and provide suitable habitats for bees.

Many farmers usually divide their kitchen garden plots into two main parts – one for potato (as it is one of the most consumed staple food) and the other one for all other kinds of vegetables and herbs. Since the positive effects, such as an increase in yield and reduction of pests and diseases can be observed right away, farmers in Tajikistan are usually willing to introduce crop rotation in their kitchen gardens.

Crop rotation is practised in Tajikistan, however not in a systematic and thorough way.  Unfortunately, most farmers are not able to implement complete crop rotation systems including cultivation of fodder plants and green manure, as available land resources are limited. Therefore, farmers are obliged to receive rather immediate effects instead of implementing complete crop rotation systems which will preserve soil fertility in the long-term.

Cultivating a second crop as crop rotation is only possible if there is sufficient irrigation water available and the vegetation period is long enough for the second crop to ripen.