Crop monoculture

Crop monoculture is an agricultural practice in which a single crop variety is grown in a field at a time. Wheat/ paddy monoculture (about 85% of total crop area) is a major issue in Punjab. Monoculture is an issue as it increases the vulnerability of the agricultural land to pests and diseases. It also leads to depletion of soil nutrients (especially, nitrogen) and increases dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.