Crop rotation is also used to decrease mineral deficiency. Different crops use and replenish different minerals. By rotating crops the some mineral loss is decreased. Crop rotation is not always economically feasible, but if it is, three common crops to rotate in the Mid-West is corn, soybean, and a legume. This lessons the need for fertilizer in-put, but it does not completely solve the problem.
Farmers can also leave crop residue on the field after harvesting.
As in erosion control, farmers can leave corn stalks on the field. The minerals within the corn stalks decompose back into the soil. Again, the farmer must apply more pesticides with this procedure. Placing mulch on fields and letting fields lie fallow for a season helps to replenish their vitality. The problem with this is that a fallow field earns no income yet carries cost.