What is one benefit of crop rotation?

One significant benefit of crop rotation is the reduction of pests and diseases. When different crops are planted in a specific sequence over time, it disrupts the life cycles of pests and diseases that may be associated with particular plants. Many pests and pathogens are specialized to certain crops; by rotating to a different crop, it can help prevent these organisms from establishing and multiplying. This practice can lead to healthier plants with fewer resources needed for pest and disease management, ultimately improving overall crop yield and sustainability.

The other options do not represent the benefits of crop rotation. For example, increased soil acidity may occur due to certain practices but is not a direct benefit of rotation. Higher chemical fertilizer dependency goes against the principles of sustainable agriculture that crop rotation aims to promote; it generally encourages more natural nutrient cycling. Finally, while some crops can benefit from staggered planting schedules, crop rotation typically does not extend the growing season for all crops in a way that uniformly benefits all agricultural practices.