ABSTRACT
Shifting cultivators commonly associate some fallow succession species with accelerated soil rejuvenation and deliberately intervene to promote their dominance. These pioneer species are characterized by prolific seeding, rapid establishment, and aggressive competition for available soil moisture and nutrients. They efficiently scavenge labile nutrients that might otherwise be lost through leaching and runoff during the early fallow period and immobilize them in the vegetation biomass. Later, these nutrients can be applied to crop production when the fallow is reopened. This minimalist approach to fallow management allows fallow functions of soil rehabilitation and weed suppression to be accomplished more quickly, resulting in a shortening of the fallow period and intensification of the swidden cycle.
