Cropping Pattern
Cropping Pattern
Cropping system,
Cropping pattern,
Multiple cropping and mixed cropping principles and
advantages,
Intercropping types and advantages and assessment.
Relay cropping,
Paira cropping and crop interactions.
Important terminology
Farming system
Cropping system
Cropping pattern
Mono cropping/ monoculture
Double Cropping
Triple cropping
Quadruple cropping
Sole cropping
Mixed cropping
Crop Mixtures or Mixed Cropping
characteristics: It should
It also means the growing of two or more crops on the same field with the planting
of the second crop after the first one has completed its development.
The logic behind intercropping is that the different crops planted are unlikely to
share the same insect pests and diseased-causing pathogens and to conserve the soil.
Based on the percent of plant population used for each crop in inter crop’s system,
it is divided into two types viz. additive series and replacement series.
a. Additive series: In this one crop is sown with 100% of its recommended
population in pure stand which is known as the base crop. Another crop is known as
intercrop, is introduced into the base Crop by adjusting or changing crop geometry.
The population of intercrop is less than its recommended population in pure stand.
b. Replacement series: In these both, the crops are called component crops. By
scarifying certain proportion of population of one component, another crop
introduced.
Advantages
1. Reduces the insect pest populations because of the diversity of the crops
grown. When other crops are present in the field, the insect/mite pests are
confused and they need more time to look for their favorite plants.
2. Reduces the plant diseases. The distance between plants of the same species is
increased because other crops (belonging to a different family group) are
planted in between.
3. Reduces hillside erosion and protects topsoil, especially the contour strip
cropping.
4. Attracts more beneficial insects, especially when flowering crops are included
the cropping system
5. Minimizes labor cost on the control of weeds. A mixture of various crops
gives often a better coverage of the soil leaving less space for the
development of weeds.
6. Utilizes the farm area more efficiently.
7. Results in potential increase for total production and farm profitability than
when the same crops are grown separately.
8. Provides 2 or more different food crops for the farm family in one cropping
season.
For successful intercropping there are certain important
requirements:
overlap.
crops.
days.