Question

Describe the various cropping patterns.

Answer 1

The various cropping patterns are:

(1) Mixed cropping:

• Mixed cropping is the growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land.
• The selected crops are different from each other in terms of the requirements of various needs for resources.
• This reduces the competition between the crops for resources like light, water, and nutrients.
  (2 marks)

(2) Intercropping:

• Intercropping is a practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in definite row patterns.
• Its objective is to increase productivity per unit area.
• This happens because growing crops in a definite pattern aids in better utilisation of natural resources like sunlight, water etc., by the plants.
  (2 marks)

(3) Crop rotation:

• In this pattern, different crops are grown on the same land in pre-planned succession. The crops are classified as one-year rotation, two-year rotation, and three-year rotation, depending upon their duration.
• For example, leguminous crops are grown in between the two cycles of normal crops, in order to replenish the soil with the nutrients that are lost.
  (2 marks)