<–2/”>a >The practice of cultivating two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land is called mixed Cropping. During Mixed cropping, if one crop faces adverse conditions or pathogen attack then the other crop can be saved.The basic objective in mixed cropping is to minimize the risk and insure against the crop failure due to abnormal weather conditions. Eg wheat + mustard, groundnut+ sunflower etc.
Criteria for the selection of crops during mixed cropping:
- Crops should have different maturation time.
- Both crops should have different water requirements.
- The nutrient requirement of one crop should be lesser than the other.
- If one crop is deep rooted, the other has shallow roots.
- If one crop is tall, other should be dwarf.
Advantages of mixed cropping:
- Increase in yield
- Optimum utilization of Soil
- Minimum pest infestation
- No risk of crop failure
- Farmers can harvest varieties of produce at the same time
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Mixed cropping is a type of agriculture in which two or more crops are grown together in the same field. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as Intercropping, companion planting, and Relay Cropping.
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting crops for mixed cropping, including:
- The compatibility of the crops: Some crops are better suited to be grown together than others. For example, corn and beans are often grown together because they complement each other’s needs. Corn provides a tall stalk for beans to climb, while beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn.
- The Growth habits of the crops: The crops should have similar growth habits so that they do not compete for Resources. For example, you would not want to grow a tall crop like corn next to a short crop like lettuce, as the corn would shade out the lettuce.
- The timing of the crops: The crops should have different harvest times so that you can have a continuous supply of food. For example, you could plant a cool-season crop like lettuce in the spring and a warm-season crop like tomatoes in the summer.
- The pests and diseases of the crops: The crops should not be susceptible to the same pests and diseases. For example, you would not want to plant two crops that are both susceptible to the same insect pest.
- The marketability of the crops: The crops should be marketable so that you can sell them for a profit.
There are a number of advantages to mixed cropping, including:
- Increased yields: Mixed cropping can often lead to increased yields compared to Monoculture (growing a single crop). This is because the crops can complement each other’s needs and provide some protection from pests and diseases.
- Reduced risk: Mixed cropping can reduce the risk of crop failure due to pests, diseases, or weather conditions. This is because if one crop fails, the others may still be successful.
- Improved soil Health: Mixed cropping can improve soil health by providing a diversity of roots that help to break up the soil and improve drainage. This can also help to reduce erosion.
- Increased Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity: Mixed cropping can increase biodiversity by providing a habitat for a variety of Plants and animals. This can help to improve the overall health of the ecosystem.
- Reduced inputs: Mixed cropping can reduce the need for inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides. This is because the crops can help to suppress Weeds and pests, and they can also improve the efficiency of nutrient use.
- Increased sustainability: Mixed cropping can help to increase the sustainability of agriculture by reducing the need for inputs and by improving soil health. This can help to protect the Environment and ensure a long-term supply of food.
Mixed cropping is a traditional farming practice that has been used for centuries. It is a sustainable and efficient way to grow crops that can help to improve soil health, reduce the risk of crop failure, and increase yields. If you are looking for a way to improve your Farming practices, mixed cropping is a great option to consider.
Here are some examples of mixed cropping:
- Corn and beans: Corn provides a tall stalk for beans to climb, while beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn.
- Wheat and barley: Wheat and barley are often grown together because they have different growth habits. Wheat is a winter crop, while barley is a spring crop. This means that they can be planted in different seasons, which helps to reduce the risk of crop failure due to pests or diseases.
- Soybeans and peanuts: Soybeans and peanuts are often grown together because they have different nutrient requirements. Soybeans are a legume, which means that they can fix nitrogen in the soil. Peanuts are a non-legume, which means that they require nitrogen from the soil. This helps to ensure that both crops are getting the nutrients they need.
- Maize and squash: Maize and squash are often grown together because they have different pest and disease requirements. Maize is susceptible to a number of pests, including corn borers and earworms. Squash is susceptible to a number of diseases, including powdery mildew and downy mildew. By growing maize and squash together, the pests and diseases that affect one crop are less likely to affect the other crop.
Mixed cropping is a complex system that can be difficult to manage. However, it can be a very effective way to grow crops. If you are considering using mixed cropping, it is important to do your research and to choose crops that are compatible with each other. You should also be prepared to manage the system carefully to ensure that it is successful.
What is Mixed cropping?
Mixed cropping is a farming practice in which two or more crops are grown together in the same field. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as intercropping, relay cropping, and companion planting.
What is the criteria for the selection of crops during mixed cropping?
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting crops for mixed cropping, including:
- The compatibility of the crops: Some crops are better suited to being grown together than others. For example, corn and beans are often grown together because they complement each other’s nutrient requirements.
- The growth habits of the crops: Some crops have different growth habits, such as height and spread. This can be used to create a more diverse and balanced crop stand.
- The timing of the crops: Some crops mature at different times, which can help to extend the growing season and provide a more continuous source of food.
- The pest and disease resistance of the crops: Some crops are more resistant to pests and diseases than others. This can help to reduce the risk of crop loss.
Write down the advantages of mixed cropping?
There are a number of advantages to mixed cropping, including:
- Increased yields: Mixed cropping can often lead to higher yields than monoculture (growing a single crop). This is because the different crops can complement each other, such as by providing shade or nitrogen fixation.
- Reduced pest and disease pressure: Mixed cropping can help to reduce pest and disease pressure by disrupting the life cycles of pests and diseases.
- Improved soil health: Mixed cropping can help to improve soil health by increasing organic matter content and reducing erosion.
- Increased biodiversity: Mixed cropping can help to increase biodiversity by providing habitat for a variety of plants and animals.
- Reduced risk of crop failure: Mixed cropping can help to reduce the risk of crop failure by spreading the risk over multiple crops.
- Increased sustainability: Mixed cropping can help to increase the sustainability of agriculture by reducing the use of pesticides and Fertilizers.
Mixed cropping is a farming system in which two or more crops are grown together in the same field. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as intercropping, relay cropping, and companion planting.
There are many reasons why farmers might choose to practice mixed cropping. One reason is to increase crop yields. When crops are grown together, they can often help each other to grow better. For example, some crops can provide shade for others, which can help to protect them from the sun. Other crops can help to improve the soil, which can benefit all of the crops in the field.
Mixed cropping can also help to reduce pests and diseases. When different crops are grown together, they can often attract different pests. This can help to keep the pest Population down, as the pests will be spread out among the different crops. Additionally, some crops can help to repel pests. For example, marigolds can help to repel nematodes, which are a type of soil-borne pest.
Mixed cropping can also help to improve soil health. When different crops are grown together, they can help to improve the Soil Structure and fertility. This is because different crops have different root systems, which can help to break up the soil and add nutrients. Additionally, some crops can help to fix nitrogen, which is a nutrient that is essential for plant growth.
Overall, there are many benefits to mixed cropping. It can help to increase crop yields, reduce pests and diseases, and improve soil health. If you are considering starting a farm, or if you are looking for ways to improve your current farm, you may want to consider practicing mixed cropping.
Here are some MCQs about mixed cropping:
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What is mixed cropping?
(a) A farming system in which two or more crops are grown together in the same field.
(b) A farming system in which only one crop is grown in a field.
(c) A farming system in which crops are grown in rotation.
(d) A farming system in which crops are grown in monoculture. -
What are some of the benefits of mixed cropping?
(a) Increased crop yields
(b) Reduced pests and diseases
(c) Improved soil health
(d) All of the above -
What are some of the criteria for the selection of crops during mixed cropping?
(a) The crops should have different root systems.
(b) The crops should have different growth habits.
(c) The crops should have different nutrient requirements.
(d) All of the above -
What is an example of intercropping?
(a) Planting corn and beans together.
(b) Planting wheat and barley together.
(c) Planting rice and soybeans together.
(d) All of the above -
What is an example of relay cropping?
(a) Planting corn and soybeans together, with the soybeans planted after the corn has been harvested.
(b) Planting wheat and barley together, with the barley planted after the wheat has been harvested.
(c) Planting rice and soybeans together, with the soybeans planted after the rice has been harvested.
(d) All of the above -
What is an example of companion planting?
(a) Planting marigolds with tomatoes to repel nematodes.
(b) Planting basil with tomatoes to improve flavor.
(c) Planting garlic with roses to repel pests.
(d) All of the above