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Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health...
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Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Systems and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2025) | Viewed by 5135

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marta Katarzyna Kostrzewska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agroecosystems and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: cropping systems; intercropping; weed ecology; weed–crop interactions; agricultural biodiversity; recycled fertilizers
Dr. Magdalena Jastrzębska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agroecosystems and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 3, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: agroecology; cropping systems; phosphorus; recycled fertilizers; agroecosystem biodiversity; intercropping; weed ecology; weed–crop interactions; plant protection methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding changes in the biotic and abiotic components of the agroecosystem under cultivation practices is crucial to solving both food and environmental problems. Increasing crop production to feed a growing population requires a more efficient use of the potential of the agricultural production area, which is possible with a sound management of this potential. In this context, there is growing interest in crop rotation as a yield-enhancing factor, and continuous cropping with its negative effects needs thorough assessment. This approach also serves to protect the soil environment.

This Special Issue aims to bring together the latest research on the importance of cropping systems: crop rotation and continuous cropping. Reviews and opinion papers are also welcome. Articles may include, but are not limited to, the following topics: evaluation of the response of plant species to continuous cropping; quality and quantity of crop residues; changes in soil properties; diversity of soil microorganisms; beneficial and harmful organisms in soil; weed infestations; fungal pathogens and plant health; and protective treatments to limit negative effects.

We hope that this Special Issue will present the current agricultural practices of crop sequencing used in different countries and regions of the world and their multifaceted effects.

Dr. Marta Katarzyna Kostrzewska
Dr. Magdalena Jastrzębska
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • crop rotation and continuous cropping
  • quantity and quality of crop yields
  • organic matter
  • physical and chemical properties of soil
  • soil microbiological activity
  • soil edaphone
  • pathogenic fungi
  • weeds
  • allelopathy
  • factors mitigating negative effects

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 3598 KB  
Article
Role of Intercropping, Herbicides and Fungicides in Compensating for the Lack of Crop Rotation in Long-Term Continuous Cropping of Two Potato Cultivars
by Józef Tyburski, Katarzyna Franke, Bogumił Rychcik, Paweł Wojtacha and Mirosław Nowakowski
Agriculture 2026, 16(10), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16101065 - 13 May 2026
Abstract
Continuous potato cropping is usually associated with a reduction in tuber yield and deterioration in crop structure, resulting in a decrease in the proportion of marketable produce. The effect of crop rotation, cultivar selection, the range of chemical plant protection, and the periodic [...] Read more.
Continuous potato cropping is usually associated with a reduction in tuber yield and deterioration in crop structure, resulting in a decrease in the proportion of marketable produce. The effect of crop rotation, cultivar selection, the range of chemical plant protection, and the periodic introduction of an intercrop on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield was studied in a field experiment at the Production–Experimental Station in Bałcyny near Ostróda, belonging to the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, where potatoes have been continuously cultivated since 1973. Results from 2015 to 2023, corresponding to the 43rd–51st year of continuous potato cropping, were compared to a six-course crop rotation (potato—oat—flax—winter rye—faba bean—winter triticale). The study discusses the yield of two potato cultivars (Catania and Red Sonia) across two periods: 2015–2018 and 2019–2023. In the first period, potatoes were grown according to the general experimental design, whereas in 2019–2023, the cultivation included an additional intercrop of oil radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Rolterra In both series of studies, the experimental factors included potato cultivation without the use of plant protection products (object O) and objects with the application of herbicides (H) and herbicides and fungicides (H + F). The introduction of intercropping into continuous potato cropping was more effective than the application of pesticides and limited the scale of yield decline in relation to crop rotation. In the case of the Catania cultivar, the mean difference in yield between crop rotation and continuous cropping in the first series of tests (without intercropping) was 50.4%, and in the second series (after introducing intercropping), it decreased to 22.3%. The corresponding mean differences for the Red Sonia cultivar were 45.5% in the first series and 12.9% in the second series. Furthermore, in the second series of studies (thanks to the introduction of intercropping), the mean share of marketable yield in continuous cropping increased from 35.1% to 51.9% (for the Catania cultivar) and from 23.6% to 35.8% (for the Red Sonia cultivar). In summary, the introduction of oil radish as an intercrop was the most effective factor (more effective than the choice of potato cultivar and use of chemical crop protection products) to limit the negative aspects of long-term continuous potato cropping, improving yield, yield stability, and the share of marketable tubers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields)
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13 pages, 1715 KB  
Article
Effects of Long-Term Mulching on Soil Aggregation and Organic Carbon Sequestration in Sloping Croplands of the Loess Plateau
by Xicheng Cao, Zhiguo Yang, Guangxin Ren, Gaihe Yang, Na Yang, Ke Wang, Jian Wang, Xing Wang, Jiajie Song, Jiancheng Zhang and Yongzhong Feng
Agriculture 2026, 16(3), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16030294 - 23 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Sloping cropland on the Loess Plateau faces severe challenges from soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion and structural instability due to erosion and intensive tillage. Although mulching can enhance SOC sequestration, its long-term effects on the spatial distribution of SOC and aggregates across slopes [...] Read more.
Sloping cropland on the Loess Plateau faces severe challenges from soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion and structural instability due to erosion and intensive tillage. Although mulching can enhance SOC sequestration, its long-term effects on the spatial distribution of SOC and aggregates across slopes remain unclear. A 15-year field experiment evaluated five practices—conventional tillage (T), no tillage (NT), straw mulching (SM), plastic film mulching (PM), and ridge–furrow plastic film mulching (RPM)—on SOC storage, aggregate stability, and their variation with different slope positions. Compared to T, all mulching treatments significantly increased SOC concentration by 4.19% to 83.48% in the 0–30 cm layer. SM and RPM notably increased macro-aggregates (>2 mm) and their associated SOC (24.04–56.49% higher than T) by adding organic matter and optimizing micro-topography. Different slope positions strongly influenced SOC redistribution: lower slopes accumulated more SOC than upper slopes due to erosion–deposition processes. Mulching reduced SOC spatial variability and minimized differences between slope positions. Although mulching increased cumulative SOC mineralization compared to T, the long-term net SOC gain was positive, driven by improved aggregate protection and reduced erosion. SM and RPM are recommended for sustainable slope farmland management due to their dual benefits in enhancing carbon sinks and soil stability. This study offers practical strategies for improving soil health and SOC sequestration in vulnerable sloping landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields)
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18 pages, 1152 KB  
Article
The Effect of Straw Management and Nitrogen Fertilisation on Soil Properties During 50 Years of Continuous Spring Barley Cropping
by Magdaléna Koubová, Jan Křen, Markéta Mayerová, Vladimír Smutný, Tamara Dryšlová and Mikuláš Madaras
Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020210 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 446
Abstract
This study is based on a long-term field trial with spring barley monoculture that was established in 1970 on Gleyic Fluvisol in the Žabčice, Czech Republic. The aim was to clarify the long-term impact of straw management and mineral nitrogen (N) application on [...] Read more.
This study is based on a long-term field trial with spring barley monoculture that was established in 1970 on Gleyic Fluvisol in the Žabčice, Czech Republic. The aim was to clarify the long-term impact of straw management and mineral nitrogen (N) application on grain yields and soil aggregate stability (SAS), and to determine the mineralogical and geochemical properties crucial for soil aggregate stability changes. Variants of the experiment included a combination of incorporated and harvested straw with doses of 0, 30, 60, and 90 kg N ha−1 in the form of ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4. The incorporated straw variants had a higher average grain yield of 0.51 t ha−1. The SAS values were in the range 54–64% and increased in all variants with N application compared to the 0N control. Ammonium sulphate fertilisation caused soil acidification, which was not reduced even by the incorporation of straw. SAS increased with decreasing pH value, although cation exchange capacity and exchangeable Ca2+ decreased, and the soil organic carbon content was similar in all variants. The relatively high content of Fe- and Al-(oxo)hydroxides extracted with ammonium oxalate (Feox and Alox) in all samples caused an increase in SAS due to decreasing pH in the N fertilised variants compared to the control. SAS should be considered in relation to other soil properties when evaluating soil quality and fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields)
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20 pages, 420 KB  
Article
Hybrid Cultivar and Crop Protection to Support Winter Rye Yield in Continuous Cropping
by Marta K. Kostrzewska and Magdalena Jastrzębska
Agriculture 2025, 15(13), 1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131368 - 25 Jun 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1717
Abstract
Continuous cropping (CC) of cereals leads to reduced yields due to cumulative biotic and abiotic stresses. Winter rye, Secale cereale L., is considered relatively CC-tolerant, yet it may still suffer under prolonged monocropping. This six-year study (2017–2022) aimed to assess the effects of [...] Read more.
Continuous cropping (CC) of cereals leads to reduced yields due to cumulative biotic and abiotic stresses. Winter rye, Secale cereale L., is considered relatively CC-tolerant, yet it may still suffer under prolonged monocropping. This six-year study (2017–2022) aimed to assess the effects of cropping systems (CC vs. crop rotation, CR), cultivar type (hybrid vs. population), and chemical plant protection (control treatment, herbicide, herbicide plus fungicide) on winter rye yield and yield components. The study was conducted as part of a long-term field experiment in northeastern Poland that started in 1967. Two cultivars, KWS Binntto (hybrid) and Dańkowskie Diament (population), were evaluated across treatments. Overall, CR led to significantly higher yields and better performance of all yield components than CC. The hybrid cultivar consistently outperformed the population cultivar. Chemical plant protection improved yield under CC, but was redundant under CR. The hybrid cultivar cultivated in CC protected by rational chemical treatments produced equal or greater yields than the population cultivar grown in CR. In CC conditions, hybrid rye exhibited greater yield stability and resilience to interannual weather variation than the population cultivar. These findings support the use of hybrid rye with rational chemical protection as a practical strategy to sustain productivity in CC systems without relying solely on crop rotation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields)
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11 pages, 225 KB  
Article
Response of Winter Wheat to 35-Year Cereal Monoculture
by Andrzej Woźniak and Małgorzata Haliniarz
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050489 - 25 Feb 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1173
Abstract
A field experiment aimed to evaluate grain yield and grain quality of winter wheat cultivated in a 35-year cereal monoculture and three soil tillage systems (TSs). Winter wheat grown in the plot after common pea (PS) served as the control. In the monoculture [...] Read more.
A field experiment aimed to evaluate grain yield and grain quality of winter wheat cultivated in a 35-year cereal monoculture and three soil tillage systems (TSs). Winter wheat grown in the plot after common pea (PS) served as the control. In the monoculture (MON) and on PS plots, winter wheat was sown in the conventional (CT), reduced (RT), and no-tillage (NT) systems. In the CT system, shallow plowing was applied after the previous crop harvest, followed by pre-sow plowing. In the RT system, a cultivator was used, and the pre-sow plowing was replaced with a pre-sowing set. In turn, in the NT system, the soil was treated with glyphosate and cultivated using a pre-sowing cultivation set. Winter wheat produced over 2-fold higher grain yield on the PS plot than in the MON as well as in the CT than in the RT and NT systems. In turn, the plant number after emergence was differentiated only by the cropping system (CS). On the PS plots, the number of plants after emergence was 15.6% higher, and the spike number was 50.5% higher than on the MON plots. Also, more spikes per m2 were found on the CT than on the RT and NT plots. Similarly, the grain weight per spike and the 1000 grain weight were higher on the PS plots compared to the MON plots as well as in the CT than in the RT and NT systems. The evaluation of the variance analysis components shows that the grain yield, plant number after emergence, spike number, grain number per spike, and 1000 grain weight were more strongly influenced by CS than by TS. Grain quality, expressed by the contents of total protein, wet gluten, and starch, as well as by Zeleny’s sedimentation index and grain uniformity index, were affected to a greater extent by CS than TS and reached higher values in the grain harvested from the PS plot compared to MON. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Crop Rotation and Continuous Cropping on Soil Health and Crop Yields)
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