Comment on Why has no one thought of this before?!
CommanderCloon@lemmy.ml 1 month agoFallow land is used land. It’s land that’s not currently used but its non-usage only happens its efficiency when actually used. It’s like sleeping, but for land, so it’s not free to use
ilinamorato@lemmy.world 1 month ago
I’m aware of that land use need, but actually most farmers use crop rotation to fulfill that need. You plant a crop that depletes phosphorus one year, and then one that restores it the next year. Obviously that’s oversimplified, but actually letting land lie fallow isn’t as critical anymore in a more diverse agricultural world.
Besides, letting land lie fallow is agricultural use, as you’re restoring the land for later growing seasons. That, iirc, is why the word “idle” is included on the map alongside “fallow;” true fallowing would be included in the agriculture regions.
MeThisGuy@feddit.nl 1 month ago
eh… we can solve all that with ammonium nitrate… aka fertilizer
ilinamorato@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Fertilizer does provide some help, but cover crops and crop rotation is still necessary. Anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate don’t replenish everything that crops take out of the ground (really just nitrogen); and even if it did, it’s really expensive.
MeThisGuy@feddit.nl 1 month ago
true. maybe just more poop. btw is fallow the same as barren?