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Monoculture

Monoculture is the production of a single species of plant. In monoculture, plants are often genetically identical. This can therefore result in an ideal situation for pests, weeds and plant diseases to emerge.

If they can outcompete or affect one plant, they can do so for all the other identical plants.

The result can be:

• damage to crops
• reduced productivity
• loss of crops

To overcome or prevent damage caused by pests, weeds and diseases, farmers use a range of protection methods.