cropping system types

different types of cropping system, their management and uses and measures.

1. Classification of cropping system Mono cropping, intensive cropping, multiple cropping, mixed cropping.

2. Classification 1. Mono cropping 2. Multiple cropping Inter cropping Mixed cropping Sequential/ sequence/ non-overlapping cropping Relay /overlapping cropping Double/triple/quadruple cropping Ratoon cropping Multi-stored/multilevel/multi-tier cropping Paira / utera cropping

3. Inter cropping Growing two or more crops simultaneously, on the same piece of land, base crop necessarily in distinct row arrangement. Crop intensification is both time and space dimensions. Parallel cropping: cultivation of such crops which have different natural habit and zero competition . Eg. Blackgram + Maize (peak nutrient demand period for blackgram is 30-35 days and maize is 50 days )

4. Companion cropping: intercropping where the production of both intercrops is equal to that of its solid planting. (Eg. Mustard/ Onion+Sugarcane ) Synergetic cropping: the yield of both crops are higher than of their pure crop on unit area basis. ( eg . Sugarcane+Potato ).

5. Cont.. iv. Multi-stored/Multi tiered/Multi level: cultivation of two or more crops of different heights simultaneously on a certain piece of land in any certain period ( eg . Sugarcane+Mustard+Onion /Potato)

6. On the basis of percent of population used for each crop in intercropping system; intercropping is of two types Additive series: one crop is main/ base crop and another is intercrop. Introduced by adjusting or changing crop geometry. Plant population of main (base) crop is same as that of pure crop stand . Replacement series: both the crops are component crops. Neither is the base crop nor the intercrop. Plant population of both component crops is less than their recommended population in pure stand.

7. Paira / Utera cropping: growing of such crops sown a few days or weeks before harvesting of standing mature crops is called paira / utera cropping and the sown crop is called paira / utera crop. Eg lathyrus in rice. Paira cropping in succession may constitute relay cropping. Pulses like mung , blackgram, gram, lentil and lathyrus come up well as paira cropping in the rabi season. Where the land after harvest of paddy remains slaucy making it unsuitable for tillage, these crops may be broadcast atleast 15-20 days before harvest using 1.50 times the seeds required for normal sowing.

8. Intensive cropping: cropping system based on climate, soil and water availability have to be evolved for realizing the potential production levels through efficient use of available resources. The cropping system should provide enough food for the family, fodder to the cattle and generate sufficient cash income for domestic and cultivation expenses. These objective could be achieved by adopting intensive cropping. Intensive farming   is an agricultural intensification and mechanization system that aims to maximize yields from available land through various means, such as use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers etc.,

9. Choice of crops for multiple intensive Crops should be arranged in such a way that allelopathic effect, temporary immobilisation of nutrients and depletion of nutrients from the same layer of soil do not occur. Legumes have a definite place in any cropping system because of their limited demand on resources like water, nutrients and light, their adaptability to varying environmental conditions and capacity to fix atmospheric N in root nodules.

10. Vegetables deserve their due place in intensive cropping because Of high cash and nutritional values. Most vegetables can be raised as seedlings and planted thus reducing main field duration and competition with the associated crop. They can be grown in interspaces in orchards and plantations They can be inter or relay cropped in cereal base crops. Short duration, photoperiod insensitive genotypes are suited for intensive cropping system.

11. Terms used in Multiple cropping system Cropping index Cropping pattern Cropping system Monoculture Sole cropping Rotation Mixed farming Land equivalent ratio (LER) Income equivalent ratio (IER)

12. Mixed farming: Cropping systems which involve the raising of crops, animals and/ or trees.

13. LER: Relative land area under sole crop that would be required to produce the equivalent yield under a mixed or an intercropping system at the same level of management. LER = Where Yi is the yield of i th component from a unit area grown as intercrop and Yij is the yield of i th component grown as sole crop over the same area. In brief, LER is the summation of ratios of yield of intercrop to the yield of sole crop.  

14. IER: Ratio of the area needed under sole cropping to produce the same gross income as one ha of intercropping at the same management level. IER is the conversion of LER into economic terms. Over yielding: Production of component crop in an intercrop which is higher than the sum of appropriate monoculture crops. This is indicated by an LER greater than unity. Residual effect: Effect of the previous crop in a sequential cropping pattern on the productivity of the current crop.