Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

Which of the following is an advantage of rotating peanuts with a non-legume crop?

1. Fewer problems with plant diseases

2. Fewer problems with insect pests

3. Fewer problems with weeds

4. All of these

The correct answer is: All of these

Rotating peanuts with a non-legume crop offers numerous agronomic benefits, which is why the option indicating all of these advantages is correct. When peanuts, which are legumes, are rotated with non-legume crops, it helps disrupt the life cycles of various plant diseases that may target legumes specifically. This disruption can lead to a reduction in disease pressure in the following peanut crop. Non-legume crops are less susceptible to the same diseases that affect peanuts, therefore, by alternating the crop types, the soil and plants are less likely to harbor pathogens that thrive on peanuts. Insect pest management also benefits from rotation. Certain pests are specialized to feed on peanuts and their life cycles can be interrupted by introducing a non-legume crop, which does not provide a suitable environment or food source for those pests. This can lead to a decline in pest populations and less need for chemical interventions. Weed management is another critical advantage of crop rotation. Different crops compete differently for resources, and rotating with non-legume crops can help manage stubborn weed populations that may have adapted to the peanut cropping system. This allows for better control of weeds through changes in crop competition and may also facilitate the use of varying herbicides that target specific weed types without affecting both crops. Therefore