Question

What is mixed cropping? What are the criteria for selecting crops for mixed cropping?

Answer 1

• Mixed cropping refers to the growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same agricultural field.

Selection of crops for mixed cropping:

1. The crops to be grown together in a mixed cropping system should be such that the requirements of one crop are met by the other crop.

• For example, wheat is grown along with a leguminous crop.
• The leguminous plant will be able to fix atmospheric nitrogen with the help of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the root nodules.
• These nitrogenous compounds would provide for the demand of nitrogen of the wheat plant in addition to the nitrogen it has absorbed from the soil.

2. There should be no competition between the two crops grown together in the mixed cropping system for light, nutrients, and water.

• For example, one crop should require a lesser light duration while the other requires more. They would thus complement each other for the requirement of light.
• One crop can have deep roots and the other to have shallow roots. They would thus differ in their requirement for water.