Ecological role of crop rotation in the efficient use of agricultural territories of the forest-steppe zone of the Volga region

Abstract

The article presents the results of a theoretical review of the role of the structure of cultivated areas and crop rotations in agriculture. Based on experimental studies, recommendations are given for optimizing the structure of cultivated areas and the system of crop rotations in the forest-steppe zone of the Volga region. The structure of sown areas and crop rotations should expand the species composition of cultivated crops, introduce intermediate crops. Our research shows that the structure of sown areas should reduce the proportion of pure fallow to 40% of the area with winter grain crops to increase the productivity of arable land, protect the soil from erosion, preserve and reproduce its fertility. At the same time, it is necessary to increase the area of perennial leguminous grasses and legume-cereal mixtures and bring their share to 25% of the cultivated area. This requires introducing grain-grass and fruit crop rotations, which will improve the ecological state of the soil and crops, and ensure the reproduction of soil fertility.