Fallow

Fallow is a farming technique in which arable land is left without sowing for one or more vegetative cycles.

The goal of fallowing is to allow the land to recover and store organic matter while retaining moisture and disrupting pest life cycles and soil borne pathogens by temporarily removing their hosts.

Crop rotation systems typically called for some of a farmer's fields to be left fallow each year.

The presence of any plant roots, including weeds, can reduce occurrence of fallow syndrome.

Nowadays, agricultural fields are routinely planted with cover crops to prevent erosion, keep down weeds, provide a green manure, and reduce the risk of fallow syndrome.