overcroppingn.

1766 Museum Rusticum 6 at Teazle 7K 4/1 But I have frequently observed an error, to which the occupiers of such land are too liable after these fertilising crops. This error is the ploughing away (by over cropping) the profits that would ensue.

1853 J. D. B. De Bow Industr. Resources Southern & Western States III. 345/1 A practice of overcropping, which too many of the [tobacco] planters are constantly following to their great loss from year to year.

1861 R. Buist Family Kitchen Gardener 198 The main one [sc. cause of ‘the yellows’ in peaches]..will generally be found in uncongenial soil, and overcropping of the trees. We say, thin out the crop—do not allow one fruit to be within two inches of its neighbor.

1881 Macmillan's Mag. 44 128 The bad tenant has taken the value out by over-cropping and little manure.

1924 T. W. Sanders & J. Lansdell Grapes: Peaches: Melons: & how to grow Them ix. 54 Vines are frequently found in bad condition from some cause, such as overcropping, bad attacks of insect pests, or mildew.

2001 N.Y. Times 28 Feb. f8/3 Overcropping, or planting too much in a vineyard, unfortunately a natural reaction to intense worldwide demand, still leads to thin, characterless wines.