A farmer sows beans in his fields after harvesting a crop of wheat. Which one of the following agricultural practice is he following ?

The practice of sowing beans after harvesting wheat is a classic example of crop rotation. Crop rotation is defined as the scientific practice of growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same piece of land to maintain soil fertility and reduce erosion [2]. Specifically, it involves following soil-exhaustive crops like wheat or rice with soil-enriching leguminous crops such as beans, peas, or pulses, which fix atmospheric nitrogen [2]. This sequential approach differs from mixed cropping, where crops are grown simultaneously without a fixed pattern [1], and multiple cropping, which is a broader term for harvesting more than once a year [t2]. While sequential cropping is a form of multiple cropping [t5], the specific strategy of alternating a cereal (wheat) with a legume (beans) to restore nutrients is the hallmark of crop rotation [2][t10].

Sources

1. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > i) rotation of crops > p. 19
2. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.2 Farming System and Cropping Pattern in India > p. 337