Does a mixed fallow crop increase soil biodiversity leading to improvements in soil health and a reduction in the use of inorganic nutrient inputs
• It is known that legume fallow crops can reduce soil and nutrient loss from fallow blocks when compared to a bare fallow.
• It is well documented that monoculture farming systems create unhealthy soil conditions by removing specific nutrients from the soil and there becomes an increase in the number of pathogenic organisms that have a negative impact on cane yield.
• It is also well documented that legumes have the potential to fix atmospheric nitrogen in there root systems and provide nitrogen for the subsequent crop.