I suspect that one would answer wind erosion or weeds using the nutrients
However in eastern Colorado, it is typical to see fields laying a fallow for every other year, which allows the soil to build up the water content.
Of course the fields are not barren. Many wheat farmers are now using a shaver type combine on wheat that cuts the stem just below the wheat head, thus leaving a higher standing of stubble to protect against wind erosion and soil drying our.

It is always a balancing act of giving up one thing to save another.
If you are dry land farming, you can put nutrients back in the soil but you can't put water back in


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum

Soluble plant nutrients are lost by leaching which might otherwise be taken up by plants.

I'm assuming that when they say "bare fallow" they mean soil left bare with nothing growing on it. If handled correctly, even weeds can be used as a catch crop and a green manure to capture and hold nutrients on the land.


7 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum