intercropping advantages types and disadvantges.pptx

Intercropping

1. Intercropping Intercropping is a common practice in organic farming where two or more different crops are grown together on the same piece of land. The main objective of intercropping is to maximize the benefits from the land by diversifying production. However, to ensure successful intercropping, special attention must be paid to avoid competition between the crops for light, nutrients, and water

2. Additive Series One crop is sown with 100% of its recommended population in pure stand, which is known as the base crops and another crop is known as intercrop Intercrop is introduced in the base crop. It is done by adjusting or changing crop geometry. It is mostly used in India. e.g.: Maize + Moongbean (1+1) The population of intercrop is less than its recommended population in pure stand LER of additive series is greater than replacement series

3. Replacement Series Both the crops are component crops. It is done by sacrificing certain proportion of population. It is mostly used in western countries. e.g.: Wheat + Mustard (9:1), Maize + Moongbean (1:3)

4. Component crop It is used to refer to either individual crops making up the intercropping situation Intercrop yield is the yield of a component crop when grown in intercropping and expressed over the total intercropped area. ( ie ., Area occupied by both the crops) Base Crop It is the one which is planted as its optimum sole crop population in an intercropping situation and second crop is planted in between rows of base crop for obtaining bonus yield from intercrop without affecting base crop yield

5. Characteristics of good intercrop/minor crop/subsidiary mixed crop 1) It should be nor affect the growth and yield of base crop or main crop. 2) It should mature earlier or latter than the base crop or main crop. 3) A far as possible it should be a legume crop for maintaining fertility and productivity of the soil. 4) It should have different growth habits and nutrient requirements in order to have minimum competition. 5) It should have different rooting depths. 6) It should differ in canopy development and sunlight requirement.

6. Principles of Intercropping Complementary Effects: The crops grown together should have complementary effects rather than competing for resources. Duration and Growth Habits: The subsidiary crop should have a shorter duration and faster growth habits to utilize the early slow-growing period of the main crop. It should be harvested when the main crop starts growing. Similar Agronomic Practices: The component crops should have similar agronomic practices to simplify management. Cover Crops: Erect growing crops should be intercropped with cover crops to reduce erosion and weed population. Different Root Depth: The component crops should have different root depths to utilize resources from different soil depths. Plant Population: Maintain a standard population for the main crop, while adjusting the plant population of subsidiary crops based on the situation. Pest and Disease Management: Avoid choosing component crops that are susceptible to the same pests, diseases, pathogens, or parasites. Simple and Profitable: The planting method and management should be simple, time-efficient, economical, and profitable.

7. Types of Intercropping Mixed Intercropping: Plants are completely mixed in the available space without distinct rows, reducing competition for solar radiation. Alternate Row Intercropping: Two or more plant species are cultivated in separate alternate rows, minimizing competition for light when crops have different canopy arrangements. Relay Intercropping: Planting the second crop before harvesting the first crop. The second crop is planted during the reproductive stage of the first crop but before its harvest, taking advantage of the shading effect during germination. Strip Intercropping: Several rows of one plant species are alternated with several rows of another plant species. Parallel Intercropping: Growing different crops with zero competition, such as black gram/green gram and maize. Companion Intercropping: Producing intercrops that yield equal to solid planting, such as mustard/potato/onion and sugarcane. Multistoryed Intercropping: Growing crops of different heights, such as coconut, black pepper, cocoa, and pineapple. Synergistic Intercropping: Achieving higher yields for both crops compared to pure crops on a unit area basis. There are two types: additive series (crop husbandry according to main crop) and replacement series (both crops are component crops).

8. Advantages of Intercropping Efficient Nutrient Use: Nutrients from different soil layers are evenly utilized. Nitrogen Fixation: Legume crops in intercropping systems can efficiently fix atmospheric nitrogen. Micro-Nutrient Availability: Leaf shading and decomposition reduce the chances of micro-nutrient deficiency. Increased Biomass Production: Total biomass production per unit area and time is increased. Utilization of Limited Space: Farmers can produce multiple agricultural commodities from a limited space. Higher Profitability: Profit per unit area becomes higher due to diversified production. Fodder Value: Intercropping legume and non-legume fodder increases the quantity and quality of fodder. Reduced Marketing Risks: Intercropping provides yields in installments , reducing the risks associated with marketing. Year-round Employment: Intercropping offers continuous employment and utilization of labor , machinery, and power throughout the year. Soil Conservation: Intercropping helps in soil conservation by reducing erosion. Insurance against Crop Failure: Intercropping provides insurance against crop failure as the failure of one crop may be compensated by the success of the other.

9. Intercropping in sugarcane It is planted in wide rows (90 cm inter-row space), usually this wide inter-row space is invaded by weeds. However, it is feasible to utilize the vacant inter-row space for growing short duration intercrops (4–5 months) during the early growth period of sugarcane. Intercropping of sugarcane with cereals: Wheat - sugarcane sequential system, the overlapping cropping under Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB) system with wheat sowing on raised beds and sugarcane planting in furrows has been developed at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow. Intercropping of sugarcane with vegetables: Vegetable crops viz., cauliflower, cabbage, knoll- khol , turnip, carrot, raddish and potato are suitable for intercropping with autumn planted sugarcane. Intercropping of sugarcane with oilseed: Sugarcane intercropping with potato followed by second intercrop sesame produced maximum yield of cane and both inter crops. Sugarcane-Indian mustard and sugarcane-oilseed rape Intercropping of sugarcane with pulses: Intercropping of lentil in autumn-planted sugarcane, Autumn sugarcane + rajmash , spring-planted sugarcane+Green gram

10. FIRB system In this system three rows of wheat are sown on each raised bed (48/50 cm top width) at optimum sowing time in November at 17 cm row spacing and placing the seed through a tractor drawn Raised Bed Maker-cum- Ferti -Seed Drill at 75-80 kg/ha seed rate. Immediately after sowing of wheat, an irrigation to the height of 3/4th of the furrow is required for proper germination of wheat. Sugarcane is planted in furrows (32/30 cm top width and 22 cm depth) in the month of February (optimum time of sugarcane planting in sub - tropical India). Sugarcane planting is done in standing wheat crop. In this system sugarcane planting is advanced to 50-60 days which otherwise is done in late April/May in wheat - sugarcane sequential system. Sugarcane planting coincides with irrigation at boot leaf stage in wheat. At the evening time irrigation is applied in furrows and next day sugarcane setts are planted. Setts are pressed into the soil manually when the soil is in muddy condition (wet planting).

11. Benefits of FIRB technology 1. Timely planting of sugarcane 2. The system increases water use efficiency by saving 20 % irrigation water 3. The system serve as alternative weed management technology because minimal weed counts are observed on raised beds and weeds mostly colonize in furrows being moist which could be controlled easily by weeding or directed herbicidal spray. 4. The system holds promise to increase input use efficiency. In this system 75-80 kg seeds of wheat is required instead of 100 kg in flat method. Other input requirement is also less in this system. 5. This technology reduces production cost and increases margin of profit especially for small and marginal farmers with limited resources.

12. Intercropping in cereal Maize+Cowpea Maize+Mung bean Soybean is also compatible companion crop with maize. Pearl millet is a quick tillering and fast growing crop that attains full canopy development within 20-30 days of seedling establishment. It can be inter-cropped with ground nut, blackgram or castor

13. Constraints for adopting intercropping Traditional practices and resistance to change may discourage farmers from adopting intercropping. Perceived risks, especially in regions where monocropping is the norm. Machinery may not be well-suited for harvesting or managing intercrops. Lack of training or extension services to support intercropping practices. Different crops have varying planting and harvesting schedules, making coordination difficult.

14. How to promote intercropping Provide technical support to the farmers. Developed appropriate equipments . More research is needed to get potential benefits of the synergistic effect of different component crops. Educate farmers on the economic and ecological advantages of intercropping Govt. policies in support of intercropping especially for legume crops. Develop region-specific intercropping packages and practices to cater to different ecological conditions. Leverage Indigenous knowledge of farmers: as intercropping was part of cropping system in India before green revolution.