Crop rotations and cover crops boost potato yields and reduce diseases.
Crop rotations, cover crops, and green manures are important for managing soil-borne diseases in potato farming. Rotations can help by breaking the cycle of disease, changing soil conditions to help good microbes, or directly fighting pathogens. Plants like Brassicas can release compounds that fight diseases. Research shows that using Brassica green manures can reduce soil-borne diseases in potatoes. Other crops like barley and ryegrass can also help. Using crops as green manures is better for disease control than using them as cover crops. Longer rotations with disease-fighting crops, cover crops, and organic amendments can improve yields and reduce disease problems in the long run.