Crop rotation
"Cuphea" has also been shown to improve agricultural crops in North America when used in crop rotation. Crop rotation is commonly practiced among farmers to improve soil quality, control host-specific pests, and decrease the use of fertilizers and pesticides. When cuphea was introduced into the crop rotation of corn and wheat, scientists from the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA found that the addition of "cuphea" had positive effects on the following harvest, including a higher yield of crop and crops that are higher in protein. Such research reveals how "cuphea" can be used in agriculture to increase the profitability of crops like wheat and corn.