Abstract
The crop rotation experiment, established by Vilmos Westsik in 1929, is the best known and most remarkable example of continuous production in Hungary. It is still used to study the effects of organic manure treatment, develop models and predict the likely effects of different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields. Westsik’s crop rotation experiment provides data of immediate value to farmers concerning the applications of fertilisers, green, straw and farmyard manure. The experiment also provides a resource of yield, plant and soil data sets for scientific research into the soil and plant processes which control soil fertility, and into the sustainability of production without environmental deterioration. The maintenance of Westsik’s crop rotation experiment can be used to illustrate the value of long-term field experiments.
Highlights
Developing an appropriate crop rotation scheme is one of the most challenging tasks in putting a sustainable system together
Westsik’s crop rotation experiment is a logical successor to, and an extension of, the farmyard and green manure experiments established in Hungary
♦ The value of fertilisers and organic manure can be compared with control plot and plots all gave similar amount of organic manure each year
Summary
Developing an appropriate crop rotation scheme is one of the most challenging tasks in putting a sustainable system together. Farmers should develop a rotation with both the needs of the farm and the needs of the ecosystem in mind. Sustainable crop rotation should provide effective weed control by (i) alternating between cold and hot weather plants, (ii) including plants adapted to mechanical weed control, or with (iii) allelopathic properties, including (iv) leguminous crops and (v) crop with fibrous root systems to improve soil structure. Crop rotation enhances soil structure and improves water regime. This way, leguminous crops have long term benefits, resulting in enhanced soil organic matter content, which improves nitrogen availability and improves soil structure by reducing soil erosion and cultivation costs (Lazanyi, 1995b; Pepo and Nagy, 1997; Varallyay 1989)
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