mixed cropping

Mixed cropping: Mixed cropping is growing of two or

more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land seeded

either after the seeds of the crops intended to be grown mixed or

sowing alternate rows in various replacement ratios. This may or

may not have distinct row arrangement and the mixed plant

community faces inter and intra row competition  with a different

plant type/variety. The basic objective in mixed cropping is

minimization of risk and insurance against crop failure due to

aberrant weather conditions. In inter-cropping systems, pressure

of plant density per unit are is more than that in a sole cropping

system, while in mixed cropping the plant population pressure is

generally equal to sole cropping and in some cases it may even

be less than sole cropping system.

 Besides the above few other terms commonly used in

cropping systems approach are defined below: 

 Monoculture: The repetitive growing of the sole crop on

the same piece of land. It may either be due to climatological

limitation or due to specialization by a farmer to grow a

particular crop.

Staggered planting: It means sowing of a crop is spread

over and around optimum period of planting either to minimize

risks or to use labour & machinery more effectively or to

minimize competition (in inter-cropping) or to prolong the period

of supply to the market or the factories.

 Ratoon cropping: The cultivation of crops’  re-growth

coming out of roots or stalks of the preceding crop after harvest,

although not necessarily for grain is termed as ratoon

cropping/ratooning.

Mixed farming: It is defined as a system of farming on a

particular farm (regardless of size) which includes crop

production, raising of livestock, poultry, fish and bee keeping,

and/or tress to sustain and satisfy as many necessities of the

owner (farmer) as is possible. Subsistence is the objective here. It

is based on the principle of give and take. Farm animals feed on

farm produce and in return manure is given to the crops.