Vegetable Crop Production

Question 1

Reasons for crop rotation

Answer 1

To prevent the build up of soil bourne pests and disease.
To balance out soil nutrient levels
To suppress weed growth.

Question 2

Rotation order

Answer 2

Legumes - nitrogen fixing
Brassicas - nitrogen hungry
Potatoes - keep weeds down
Roots

Sometimes additional bed for permanent crops e.g asparagus

Question 3

Limitations of crop rotation

Answer 3

Only effective against soil bourne pests and disease.
Not effective against pests and disease that are non specific to a plant category
Requires space and commitment
Restricts choice

Question 4

Successional cropping

Answer 4

The practice of producing a succession of harvests of the same vegetable. Avoids gluts

1. Sowing the same variety at intervals e.g. lettuces
2. Sowing different varieties of the same crop e.g. peas or potatoes.

Protection can extend the growing season.

Question 5

Intercropping

Answer 5

Growing a quick maturing crop in the space between slower growing plants. E.g. radish between parsnips.

Maximises yield in a given space.

Question 6

Cut and come again

Answer 6

Most associated with lettuce.
Harvest crops before they mature, as soon as theya re an edible size.
Usually 3 or 4 cuts before they are exhausted
Stop when flowers start as taste gets bitter.

Question 7

Legumes

Answer 7

Broad beans
French beans
Runner beans
Peas

Question 8

Bulbs

Answer 8

Onions
Spring onions
Leeks
Garlic
Florence fennel

Mostly hardy except Florence fennel.