Innovations in Agriculture Up to WWI
An overview of major changes in agriculture over time.
Between Mesopotamian times and the year 1622, a great deal of new agricultural techniques and methods spread over various regions.
Over time, it became common practice to alternate the crops grown on a given plot of land. Crop rotation increases soil fertility, minimizes nutrient depletion, and lowers pest and disease occurrence. Various crop successions were used, such as the three-field system used in medieval Europe, when fields were divided into three sections: one for winter crops, one for summer crops, and one for fallow.
The Middle Ages saw a considerable breakthrough in agriculture in Europe. The growth of cultivated lands was aided by the invention of the heavy plow, which allowed for more profound soil cultivation. The effectiveness of plowing and transporting was improved by introducing horse collars and horseshoes. Additionally, the use of water and windmills increased the efficiency of milling by enhancing grain grinding.
Building flat steps on steep slopes, also known as terrace farming, originated in several places worldwide, including the Andes Mountains in South America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Terracing creates flat areas for cultivation, facilitates effective water management, and reduces soil erosion on hilly terrains.
Irrigation methods continued to develop over this time. The chain pump, a Chinese invention, improved the effectiveness of lifting water. Persian engineers created sophisticated qanat systems during the Islamic Golden Age, which used underground tunnels to convey water for irrigation. The stepwell (baori) architecture, which includes complex networks of wells and storage tanks for capturing and using rainwater, was developed in India.
Agricultural machinery started appearing in the medieval ages. The development of the moldboard plow, a more effective and lightweight plow, enhanced soil turning and required less physical exertion. Using seed drills, crops might be planted more successfully and precisely, saving time and seeds. The invention of threshing machines and horse-drawn reapers improved harvesting.
People have carefully bred crops with favored qualities throughout history. Plant breeding innovations during this time created new crop types with increased yields, disease resistance, and climate adaptation. Breeding higher-yielding wheat and rice cultivars is one example.
These are just a few examples of the agricultural innovations that emerged between Mesopotamian agriculture and 1622. The period saw continuous experimentation, knowledge exchange, and adaptation to local conditions, ultimately leading to advancements that shaped the agricultural practices of subsequent centuries.
Several significant agricultural innovations and advancements occurred between 1622 and World War I.
As knowledge of genetics and heredity grew, deliberate breeding of plants and animals for specific features became possible. Farmers carefully developed crops to increase flavor, disease resistance, and productivity. Selective animal breeding, such as developing better horse breeds and high-yielding dairy cows, became more popular in the 18th century.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the “enclosure” movement gained traction in Europe, particularly in England. Larger, privately owned fields were constructed while common lands were enclosed. This resulted in the consolidation of smaller plots, more effective use of the ground, and the adoption of contemporary farming techniques.
During this time, increasingly sophisticated methods were developed, building on earlier crop rotation techniques. The Norfolk four-course rotation, first used in England in the 18th century, was one significant improvement. This rotation, which increased soil fertility and production, alternated crops like wheat, turnips, barley, and clover.
The Industrial Revolution significantly improved farming equipment. Developing and extensively using devices like the horse-drawn plow, mechanized reaper, seed drill, and threshing machine changed farming methods. These tools improved production, decreased labor needs, and increased efficiency.
As our knowledge of plant nutrition increased, so did the usage of synthetic fertilizers. “Although it was previously thought that the concept of fertilizer use may have only dated back 2,000 to 3,000 years, it is now believed that early farmers were using manure to fertilize their crops as long as 8,000 years ago.”(Hergert & Nielsen, 2015) Chemical fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate and superphosphate, were created in the middle of the 19th century and started to be employed to replenish soil minerals depleted by intensive farming.
Mechanization went beyond single machines with the invention of the steam engine during the Industrial Revolution. Farm operations expanded and moved more quickly because of agricultural machinery driven by steam engines. Larger-scale agricultural activities were also made possible by the invention of steam power, which was used in irrigation pumps and mills. The growth of railroads and steamships made it easier to ship agricultural goods over large distances. Farmers now have better access to markets, less food waste, and more options for trade.
“Pesticides have been used by humankind for centuries. Their use was recorded as early as the eighth century BC when the application of fungicides was documented in Homeric poems.” ( NRC, 1993) Significant advancements in controlling diseases and pests during this time and using chemical pesticides, such as sulfur and arsenic compounds, first held insect pests and fungi diseases. Increased knowledge of plant pathology had improved disease detection and management techniques.
Between 1622 and World War I, these developments raised agricultural output, boosted farming capacity, and satisfied the expanding population's demands. They prepared the way for subsequent actions in the 20th century and created the groundwork for the growth of modern agriculture.
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Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (1998, July 20). Norfolk four-course system. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Norfolk-four-course-system
Duffy, Phil. The Enclosure Movement and the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. 09/12/2022. https://mises.org/wire/enclosure-movement-and-agricultural-and-industrial-revolutions
Hergert, Gary & Nielsen,Rex. A Historical Overview of Fertilizer Use Almost 8,000 years ago farmers recognized its value. March 15, 2015. Cropwatch.unl.edu
National Research Council (US) Committee on Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1993. 1, Background and Approach to the Study. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236265/