What is a potential consequence of monoculture in agriculture?

Monoculture, the practice of growing a single crop over a wide area for many consecutive years, can lead to increased soil nutrient depletion. When the same crop is planted repeatedly, it draws specific nutrients from the soil without the rest and may not provide those nutrients back through a varied planting strategy or crop rotation. This can result in a decrease in soil fertility over time, as the soil lacks the diverse root systems and organic matter that different crops can contribute. Additionally, because only one type of crop is grown, the soil may become deficient in the nutrients particular to that crop’s growth requirements.

In contrast to options such as enhanced nutrient cycling or stronger pest resistance, which would generally require diverse planting to occur effectively, monoculture primarily focuses on one type of crop, making the soil's nutrient dynamics less resilient and limiting biodiversity. While improved agricultural yields can sometimes be associated with monoculture due to streamlined farming practices, the long-term sustainability and health of the soil are often compromised, leading to issues like nutrient depletion.