CROPPING SYSTEM

principle of cropping system

Cropping system
The way or pattern in which different crop are grown or cultivated same time in a same field is known as cropping system. We can divided cropping system into two terms such as a) Mixed cropping and b) Inter cropping

Mixed cropping
Growing two or more crops in a particular land at a same time then it is called mixed cropping. Itis done in those areas where climatic hazards are common. Example: wheat with mustard or wheat with barley etc.

Advantages of mixed cropping
1. we can reduce production cost.
2. we can cheek soil erosion, weed etc.
3. it facilitate labor and employment throughout the whole year.
4. soil condition is improved by the combination of legumes and non-legumes.
5. farmer can grow different crops according ( not all times ) to his demand.
6. if any insect or disease attack one crop other crop may not attacked if they are from different family.
7. there is no possibility to fail all crops under a adverse climatic condition. frost kills only legumes, flood kills only dicotplant, drought kills monocot plants.

Principles of mixed cropping:
1. we can select legumes with non legumes. As for example gram with wheat.
2. tall crops may sown with short crops such as maize with mung.
3. if we grow deep rooted crop, there is a another option of shallow rooted crops as for example maize with potato.
4. we can grow bushy crops with erect growing crops such as sugarcane with potato.
5. crops may attack both crops if their family is same. so must select from different family.
6. we may select short duration crops with long duration crops such as sugarcane with mung.

Inter cropping:
If we grow a subsidiary crops between two widely spaced rows of the main crop with keeping the object of utilizing the space left between two rows of main crop and to produce more crops per unit area then it is called inter cropping.

Advantages of inter cropping:
1. soil nutrient of different level is used evenly.
2. the possibility of micro nutrient deficiency is reduced by leaf shedding and subsequent decomposition of leaf and other plat parts.
3. farmer gets more production in a limited area.
4. free space is utilized properly.
5. income is more by inter cropping.
6. fodder value  is high when legume is cultivated with non legume. as for example NAPIER + COWPEA - NAPIER + BERSEEM.

Principle of inter cropping:
1. we must select those crops which have no competitive effect.
2. the subsidiary crop must have short duration and faster growing habit.
3. they must have same agronomic practices.
4. erect growing crops may inter cropped with cover crop to avoid soil erosion.
5. we must not choose the subsidiary crops which pest and diseases is similar with main crop.