Question

Ramlal has been cultivating wheat crop year after year in the same field. Recently he has observed decline in the yield despite best inputs. Agriculture inspector of the area suggested him to sow legume crop (e.g., pea, chick pea or soyabean) for one or two years before again using the field for wheat crop. What is the logic behind this suggestion?

Answer 1

Ramlal has been growing only wheat for several years. This has depleted the essential nutrients of the soil of its farms. It is suggested to him, to grow crops such as gram, pea etc as these are leguminous crops. They help in nitrogen fixation as they have nitrogen fixing bacteria in their root nodules. Legumes replenish the nitrogen of soil used by other plants during their growing session.