3.4 SEEDS AND FERTILISERS 72 CROPPING SYSTEMS The term cropping system refers to: the sequence in which the crops are cultivated on a piece of land over a fixed period; cropping system: sistema di coltivazione famine: carestia monocropping: monosuccessione profitability: reddititiv the relevant management techniques, which are chosen according to: crop profitability; adaptability to changing situations; resistance to disease; prevailing environmental conditions. Monocropping and crop rotation These are the most common cropping systems adopted on farms. Cropping system Definition Advantages Disadvantages Monocropping Single plantation of a crop over multiple seasons. Selection of the most profitable crop Use of the same seeds Risk of reduced soil fertility and damage to soil structure Use of the same pest management plan Compensation of the loss of nutrients with chemical fertilisers Use of the same machinery and growing methods Higher vulnerability to insects, weeds and disease Increased profitability Biodiversity reduction Economic vulnerability Crop rotation Rotation of crops from season to season. Ideally, the crops do not belong to the same family. Higher yields and greater farm profitability in the long-term Increased organic matter in the soil Mandatory careful pre-planning: a faulty crop rotation can cause problems that may take years to fully recover from Improved soil structure and fertility Unsuitable soil topography Reduced soil degradation High investment in different seedlings and equipment Production of different types of crops Recycling of nutrients Better soil aeration Easier weed, pest and disease control Enhanced water and nutrient retention Decreased synthetic fertiliser requirements Improved drainage Improved supply of soil water during droughts 146 Soil, water and plantS