1. Crop Rotation: Farmers began to practice crop rotation, which involves alternating different crops in the same field over several seasons. This helped maintain soil fertility, prevent pest buildup, and improve overall crop yields.
2. Enclosure Movement: The enclosure movement in Europe consolidated small landholdings into larger, more efficient fields, allowing for more effective farming practices and increased crop production.
3. Selective Breeding: Farmers started to selectively breed crops for desired traits, such as higher yields, resistance to pests and diseases, and improved quality.
4. Improved Farming Implements: The invention and adoption of new farming implements, such as the seed drill, improved plow, and scythe, increased efficiency in planting, tilling, and harvesting, leading to higher crop production.
5. Fertilizers: Farmers began using fertilizers, including natural manures and mineral fertilizers, to enhance soil fertility and boost crop growth.
6. Irrigation: In regions with limited rainfall, farmers implemented irrigation systems to supply crops with water, increasing their yields and expanding the range of crops that could be grown.
7. Glasshouses and Greenhouses: The use of glasshouses and greenhouses allowed farmers to control the environment and extend growing seasons, resulting in increased crop production.