Which crop would be most suitable to grow following tomatoes in a proper crop rotation system?

Which crop would be most suitable to grow following tomatoes in a proper crop rotation system?

• A. Tomatoes
• B. Eggplant
• C. Corn
• D. Potatoes

Answer: (C)

Crop rotation helps interrupt pest and disease cycles and balances soil nutrients by alternating crops from different families. Tomatoes are in the nightshade family, so following them with another nightshade (eggplant or potatoes) would tend to carry over the same pests and diseases and keep similar nutrient demands. Corn comes from a different plant family with a distinct root system and nutrient needs, which helps break those pest and disease cycles and adds diverse organic matter to the soil. For these reasons, corn is the best crop to grow after tomatoes in a rotation.

Crop rotation helps interrupt pest and disease cycles and balances soil nutrients by alternating crops from different families. Tomatoes are in the nightshade family, so following them with another nightshade (eggplant or potatoes) would tend to carry over the same pests and diseases and keep similar nutrient demands. Corn comes from a different plant family with a distinct root system and nutrient needs, which helps break those pest and disease cycles and adds diverse organic matter to the soil. For these reasons, corn is the best crop to grow after tomatoes in a rotation.