What is the purpose of crop rotation in pest management?

The purpose of crop rotation in pest management is primarily to deprive pests of their host plants. By rotating crops, farmers disrupt the life cycles of pests that are dependent on specific host plants for food and reproduction. If a pest has adapted to thrive on a particular crop, changing to a different crop reduces the availability of that host, making it more challenging for the pest populations to survive and proliferate. This disruption can significantly lower pest populations without the need for chemical interventions, which contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices.

In addition to pest management, crop rotation can have benefits for soil fertility and health, but those aspects do not directly relate to the immediate effects on pest populations.