Fallowing: Definition, Features, Advantages and Disadvantages
Crop cultivation results in a decline in the fertility of the soil over time. This often calls for the farmer to allow his field or farm to rest. The period of time the field is allowed to rest or remains uncultivated is referred to as fallow period. Land fallowing enables a field to regain its some or all the lost nutrients.
Definition; System of farming where by land is cultivated for a period of time and then left uncultivated (fallowed) for some years so that its fertility can be restored.
The fallow land is left dormant between planting seasons for about 3-4 years in order to allow the soil regain its lost nutrients. A fallowed land will have good vegetation and the leaves will fall and decompose to improve soil nutrients. Nutrients on the fallow land are recycled.
Read Also: Alkaline (Sodic) Soils and Saline-Alkaline Soils
Features of Fallow Systems
1. It is mainly practiced by peasant farmers.
2. It is common in rural areas with abundant farm lands.
3. Productivity per unit of land or per unit of labour is low.
4. Farmlands are allowed fallow after one or two years of cultivation.
5. It is practiced where population is low.
Advantages of Fallow Systems
1. It aids the natural restoration of soil nutrients during the fallow period.
2. It can be used to check erosion and leaching.
3. It helps to control plant pest and diseases.
4. Easy to practice as little or no technology is required.
Read Also: Sources of Salt-Affected Soils
Disadvantages of Fallow Systems
1. It leads to land fragmentation due to population increase.
2. There is no provision for expansion in bush fallowing as it does not lead to mechanization.
3. Fallow years are too short to fully restore soil fertility.
In conclusion, fallowing is a necessary practice given the major benefit of restoring lost soil nutrients. The practice is easy as no specialized skill is required however adoption of the practice is hampered by the reduced land areas due to population increase among other factors.
Fallowing is a system of farming where by land is cultivated for a period of time and then left uncultivated for some years so that its fertility can be restored. In addition to restoration of soil fertility, it also helps in controlling erosion, leaching, pest and diseases spread. The practice however is limited greatly due to increase in population.
Read Also: Discovering the Wonders of Environmental Science
You should be a part of a tournament first of the greatest blogs on the internet. I’ll suggest this website!
Smiles… Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
you are truly a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is amazing. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a magnificent task on this matter!
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
Hello! I would choose to supply a huge thumbs up with the great info you have here with this post. I will be returning to your website to get more soon.
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
I am glad to read this post, it’s an impressive one. I am always searching for good posts and articles and this is what I found here, I hope you will be adding more in future.
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
wonderful post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t realize this. You should continue your writing. I’m sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
I recently came accross your site and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my very first remark. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this site very often.
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
I don’t even understand how I finished up right here, but I thought this publish was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger if you are not already Cheers!
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful
I agree with most of your points, but a few need to be discussed further, I will hold a small talk with my partners and maybe I will look for you some suggestion soon.
Thank you so much and we are glad that you find our article very helpful