Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Conservation Crop Rotation Code: 328

Units: ac.

C 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 4

 Compaction 1

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 2

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 2

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 2

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 2

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 2

 Pesticides in Groundwater 2

 Nutrients in Surface water 2

 Nutrients in Groundwater 2

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater 2

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Growing crops in a planned sequence on the same field.

High residue crops can lead to increased root development and increased soil organic carbon.

Maintaining sufficient canopy and residue cover reduces soil detachment by water. 

Maintaining sufficient canopy and residue cover reduces soil detachment by wind. 

good cover reduces runoff

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Rotations with grass and legumes and high residue crops will reduce erosion and runoff.

Not Applicable

Crop rotation balances available water with crop needs.

Crop rotation balances available water with crop needs.

Deep rooted crops in the rotation may reduce compaction

If it affects drainage the practice can have an impact on subsidence.

Salt tolerant crops with high transpiration rates can increase salt uptake and reduce salt content in the root zone.

Improved plant uptake reduces excessive seepage.

Rotations with grass and legumes and high residue crops will reduce erosion and runoff.

The action reduces the need for pesticide use by breaking pest lifecycles.

The action reduces the need for pesticide use by breaking pest lifecycles.

Nitrogen demanding or deep rooted crops can remove excess nitrogen. Legume in rotation will provide slow release nitrogen and 

reduce need for additional nitrogen.

Nitrogen demanding or deep rooted crops can remove excess nitrogen. Legume in rotation will provide slow release nitrogen and 

reduce need for additional nitrogen.

The action can reduce erosion and runoff which reduces transport of salts. Some crops may accumulate salts.

Suitable crops can take up salts, the amount depending on crop rotation and rooting pattern, 

Depending on crop rotation, less erosion and runoff reduces delivery of pathogens.

Not Applicable
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 2

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 2

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 4

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 4

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 2

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 4

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 2

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 2

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 0

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 1

CPPE Practice Effects: 0 No Effect

5 Substantial Improvement -1 Slight Worsening

4 Moderate to Substantial Improvement -2 Slight to Moderate Worsening

3 Moderate Improvement -3 Moderate Worsening

2 Slight to Moderate Improvement -4 Moderate to Substantial Worsening

1 Slight Improvement -5 Substantial Worsening

Not Applicable

Depending on crop rotation and biomass produced, crop rotation reduces erosion and runoff which reduces transport of sediment.

Not Applicable

not applicable

Selected crops and suitable rotations may provide more food for wildlife. 

The proper selection of crops in the rotation can reduce the generation of fugitive dust.

Not Applicable

Vegetation removes CO2 from the air and stores it in the form of carbon in the plants and soil.

Not Applicable

Plants are selected and managed to maintain optimal productivity and health.

Crop selection will be modified to include species better suited to soils and climate.

Depending on crop rotation, crop rotation creates diversity that may reduce weed pressures, break weed life cycles, and provide 

competition that would slow the spread of noxious plants.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

The use of legume crops to supply nitrogen

Selected crops and suitable rotations may provide more food and cover for wildlife. 

Not Applicable

Increased cover will increase space for wildlife. May be used to connect other cover areas.

Crop rotation may be designed to add forage crops.

Not Applicable