Agro - ecological modernization of agriculture for sustainable development

Agriculture is facing many challenges because of dominating industrial model of agricultural intensification. Current structure and design of farming systems contribute to unsustainable dependence on non - renewable sources of energy and their derivatives, including mineral fertilizers and pesticides. The article describes results from the long term field experiment on chernozem soil of the Balti steppe (Republic of Moldova) with different crop rotations and continuous cropping. Higher diversity of crops in crop rotation is crucial for improving soil health and functionality, in reducing the dependence from industrial inputs.