Why is crop rotation effective in pest management?

Crop rotation is effective in pest management primarily because it disrupts the life cycle of specific pests. By changing the types of crops grown in a particular field over time, pest populations that are adapted to specific host plants find their life cycles interrupted. Many pests and diseases are closely tied to specific crops; therefore, rotating to different crops that do not serve as hosts for these pests reduces their survival and reproduction rates. As a result, the overall pest pressure in the field decreases.

For example, if a farmer consistently grows the same type of crop, pests that thrive on that crop can establish large populations, creating significant challenges for pest control. However, if a different crop is planted in the next season, these pests may struggle to find suitable breeding sites or food sources, thereby reducing their numbers. This approach also helps in managing soil-borne diseases that can accumulate in the soil when the same crop is rotated repeatedly.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the role of crop rotation in pest management. While allowing soil to rest and recover, enriching soil with nutrients, and eliminating all pests can be beneficial agricultural practices, they do not specifically address the mechanism by which crop rotation disrupts pest populations and their life cycles. These aspects may contribute to overall soil