Which of the following practices can lead to better nutrient management in crop production?

Effective crop rotation is a practice that can significantly enhance nutrient management in crop production. This technique involves alternating different crops in the same field across seasons or years, which helps to improve soil health and nutrient availability.

By rotating crops, farmers can break pest and disease cycles, reduce weed pressure, and improve soil structure and ecology. Different crops have varying nutrient requirements and will utilize different soil nutrients to varying degrees. For instance, legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil for subsequent crops that may require more nitrogen. This diversity in nutrient uptake and replenishment allows for a more balanced nutrient management strategy, which can lead to healthier crops and improved yields.

In contrast, the other practices listed do not contribute positively to nutrient management. Over-fertilization can lead to nutrient runoff, harming the environment while not necessarily benefiting the crops. Continuous monoculture often results in nutrient depletion and increased pest problems, as the same nutrients may be overly extracted year after year without replenishment. Neglecting soil testing prevents farmers from understanding the specific nutrient needs of their soil, which can lead to imbalanced fertilization and crop stress. Therefore, effective crop rotation stands out as a beneficial practice for managing crop nutrients.