Which of the following practices is essential for maintaining soil health?

Rotating crops regularly is essential for maintaining soil health because it promotes biodiversity and helps manage soil nutrient levels. By alternating different types of crops, the specific nutrient demands placed on the soil vary, which can lead to a more balanced nutrient profile. This practice can prevent the depletion of specific nutrients that might occur if the same crop is planted repeatedly, avoiding issues like soil degradation and pest buildup associated with monoculture. Soils are also less susceptible to diseases and pests when diverse crops are planted, as many pathogens and pests are crop-specific.

Crop rotation additionally encourages the growth of different root structures, which can improve soil structure and health, enhance microbial diversity, and increase the overall resilience of the ecosystem. It supports organic matter accumulation through the varied growth cycles and residues from different plants. Hence, regular crop rotation is a key agricultural practice for sustaining and improving soil health over time.