Chapter No 9. Cropping systems-Meaning, types/classification of cropping systems, advantages and disadvantages of cach copping systems > Cropping systems.- 11 is defined as the order in which the crops are grown or cultivated on a piece of land over fixed period > Cropping Patter- The yearly sequence and spatial arrangement of crops on a same Piece of land over a same period of time SS Classification/Types of cropping systems.- 1) Moneculture 2) Multiple cropping 3) Following or Fallow in rotation 1) Parallel Multiple cropping 2) Sequential Multiple cropping 1) Mixed cropping i) Sequential cropping 2) Intereropping a) Double cropping 3) Relay cropping b) Triple cropping 4) Alley cropping ¢) Quadruple cropping 5) Multistroyed cropping ii) Ratoon cropping/Ratooing ‘A. Cropping systems for dryland and irrigated areas, 1) Monoculture/Monocropping,~ ‘The cropping system in which only one major crop is grown on the same land year after year. Or Repetitive growing of only one crop on same piece of land year after year. eg Rice-Rice, Bajra-Bajea Coppi ng systems — Cropping pattern practiced On a (atm Caabnina thor mILOnw eb ae aes> Advantages of monoculture/monocroppingy- 1) Convenience in sowing with the help of machinery under mechanized farming 2) lis convenient for harvesting with the help of machinery > Disadvantages,- 1) Sometimes fertility and productivity of the soil are lowered if suitable soil management practices are not followed. 2) Soil structure may be deteriorated. 3) Increase infestation of pests, diseases and weeds 2. Intensive Cropping systems: 1) Multiple cropping, The cropping system in which two or more crops are grown either in succession or sequence or association for entire or part period of their life cycles on the same field in a year is called multiple cropping, Eg. Sorghum-Wheat-Green Gram Maize-Wheat-Green gram Rice-Wheat-Black gram-Linseed a) Parallel multiple cropping.- When two or more crops are grown in association for part or entire period of their life cycle is known as parallel multiple cropping, It includes following cropping systems, i) Mixed cropping.~ Growing two or more crops simultaneously with no distinct row arrangement is known as mixed cropping. Eg, Maize + Green gram + Pigeon pea Sorghum + Groundnut + Pigeon pea+ Mixed cropping is common practice in rainfed or dry farming, areas * Generally, legumes crops like red gram, black gram, green gram, cowpea etc. or oilseed crops like groundnut, mustard ete. are mixed with cereal crops like jowar o bajr * Sowing is done by drilling the mixture of seed with the help of seed drill or moghan can bea ached behind the seed drill for sowing of mixed crop. ‘ ' » ollaceds 1 ixed crop. © Usually, cereals are grown as main crop and pulses or oilseeds as minor or mi P- > Advantages of mixed cropping.- 1) Risk of failure of crop is less 2) Fulltills the daily requirements of food grains, oilseeds, pulses etc. 3) Improve fertility of the soil if legumes are taken as minor crop 4) Better distribution of labour through out the crop period 5) Increase gross monetory returns 6) Well balanced cattle feed is obtained 7) Safeguards against pests and diseases 8) Full utilization of space and available plant nutrients > Disadvantages, 1) Some times control of pests, diseases and weeds become difficult 2) Some limes affects the yield of main crop 3) Harvesting with the help of machinery is not possible > ‘Types of Mixed Cropping, i Mixed crop. Seeds of different crops are mixed together and then sown either in lines or broadcasted is called as mixed crop.ii Companion crop.- Sceds of different crops are not mixed together but different tops are sown in different rows is called as companion crop ili, Guard crop The main crop is sown in the center, surrounded by hardy crop to provide protection to main crop is called as guard crop. Bg, Safflower around Wheat, mesta arom sugarcane iv, Augmenting crop,- Sub crops are sown to supplement the yield of main crop, the sub crop is called as augmenting crops. eg. Japanese mustard with berseem. > Advantages of Augmenting crop. 1. Better utilization of available resources 2. Insurance of against total failure of crop 3. Higher yield per unit area per unit time 4 Less incidence of pest and diseases Improvement in soil structure 6. Improvement in soil fertility > Disadvantages of Augmenting crop.- 1. Difficult to carry out different field operations 2, More labour requirement 3. Due care is needed while selecting crop ii) Intercropping.- It is cropping system in which intercrop is grown in between rows of the major crop, without affecting the optimum plant population as well as yield of the major crop (base crop) or growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land with distinet row arrangement is called as intercropping, Eg. Maize + Pigeon pea (2:1) Sorghum + Pigeon pea (2:1) Cotton + Green gram (2:1) Pigeon pea + Ground nut + Lentil (2:1+1)v i , , In this system in addition to yield of major crop some extra intercrop yield is obtained. Y There e, ii rel Therefore, intercrop is bonus crop in this system. ¢g, Intercropping of groundnut or vegetables i ; . elables in sugarcane or pulse or oilseed crops in sorghum or bajra. ‘The crops having different growth habits, canopy development, root system and nutrient requirement are choosen, The crops grown in association are sown by following specific planting pattern for base crop so as to create space to accommodate the intercrop in systematic geometric progression. > 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. > Advantages of intercropping system. 1) It should helps to Improves the soil fertility and soil productivity. 2) Maintaining the higher crop yield. 8) Better utilization of available resources.5) Reduces the incidence of insect pest, disease and weeds 6) luproves the soil structure and water holding capacity of soil. > Disadvantages, 1) Harvesting with the help of machinery is difficult 2) Intercultural operations are not possible 3) Competition among the resources is more. ime consuming/difficult 5) Weed control is not possible. 6) Water requirement is more. > ‘Types of Intereropping 4) Parallel Cropping. Cultivation of such crops which have different natural habit and zero competition is called as parallel cropping. eg, black gram/green gram + Maize. ) Companion cropping,- System in which production of both intercrops is equal to that of its solid planting is called as companion cropping, eg. Mustard/PotatojOnion + Sugarcane 4) Mixed Intercropping, arrangement is called as mixed intercropping. rowing of two or more crops with no distinct row ‘There are four types of mixed intercropping systems. 1. Row intercropping,- Growing of two or more crops simultaneously, where one or more crops are planted in rows is called as row intercropping,Patch cropping. Where component crops are planted in patches is called as patch cropping. 8. Strip intereropping~ Growing of two or more crops simultaneously in strips wide enough 19 permit independent cultivation but narrow enough {0 interact the crop agronomically is called a strip intereropping, cously during the part of 4. Relay intereropping.- Growing of two or more crops simul life cycle of each is called as relay intereropping, Second crop is planted after the first crop has reached its reproductive stage of growth planted before harvesting of but before it is ready for harvest, Suceeding crop ii preceeding crop. iii) Relay cropping,- I is the cropping system in which succeeding crop (next crop) is or sown or planted when the first crop (preceding crop) has reached its physiological maturity stage or before it is ready to harvest is called as relay cropping. eg. Rice- Linseed/lentilfblack gram/chickpea > Advantages of relay cropping, 1) Better utilization of residual moisture and fertilizers 2) Reduces the cost of cultivation practices. 43) Also reduces the cost of fertilizers and irrigation. 4) Labour requirement is less. 5) Incidence of pest, diseases and weeds is less due to early sowing operation, > Disadvantages,- 1) Risk of crop failure is more. 2) Harvesting by means machinery is difficult8) Lack of availability of skilled labour. disease and weeds. 4) Greater incidence of p iv) Alley cropping,-The system of growing jowar, maize, bajrat or any otter arable FP inthe alleys (passage between two rows) of legutiinous shrubs like subabul (Zeuenent Jeucacephala) is called as alley cropping. + Growing of maize, jowar, bajta, cowpea in between rows of subabul planted at S- 10 m spacing, this system is useful for conservation of moisture and maintainins fevtility of soil in dry farming areas. ‘The loppings of the subabul are used as green fodder for animals or spread in between the crop rows as mulch for conservation of soil moisture and after delaying it adds organic matter fo the soil. > Advantages of alley cropping; 1) Better utilization of natural resources. 2) Reduces the cost of cultivation. 43) Improves the soil fertility and productivity 4) Provides fodder for animals and food for human. > Disadvantages: 1) Competition among the natural resources ie moisture, nutrients, light and space. 2) Incidence of pest, diseases and weeds is more. 3) Chances of crop failure is more. 4) Less yield is obtained. > Types of Alley cropping, 1. Food cum fodder system.- In this system provides food grains like pulses, cereals, oilseeds and fodder for livestock.system provides food grains as well as crop Yood cum mutch system tn thi residues as ye measures, «mulch for soil and water conser S- Food cum pote system. In this system provides food as well as wood for fuel ¥) Multistoreyed cropping.- In this system the crops of different height and vert ay Of leaf canopies, sunlight requirements and root system are grown together on the samt field is called as mul loreyed crop) Y Generally, the shorter crops favouring shade and humidity are grown in passage between the rows of taller crops, which are tolerant to strong, sunlight. eg. Growing of pineapple, sweet potato, black pepper, tapioca, turmeric, ginger etc. in ‘coconut or arecanut, > Advantages of Multistoreyed cropping, 1) Better utilization of moisture and nutrients in different soil layers. 2) Better utilization of sunlight and space. 8) Provides a balanced food for humans. 4) Enrichment of organic matter or plant residues in soil. 5) Improve the water holding capacity of soil > Disadvantages, 1) Competition among the natural resources. 2) More area is required. 3) Lack of labour availability 4) Incidence of pest, disease and weeds is more.8) Snergetic cropping.~ ‘The yields of both crops are higher than of their pure crop on unit area ba is called as synergetic cropping. eg, Sugarcane + Potato i) Additive Series.~ In this system one crop is main crop of base cop and another crop 15 intercrop, 1. Intererop is introduced into the base crop by adjusting or changing crop geometry, 2, Plant population of main crop is kept same so that recommended for pure stand by reducing row spacing, 3. Intercrop is sown in the reduced space. 4. The objective of the system is to get additional income and to cover risk. 5. LER (Land Equivalent Ratio) is more than 1. 6. Additive series more efficient than the replacement series. ii) Replacement Series. Both the crops are component crops. The plant population of both crops is less than their recommended population in pure stand. LER is less than 1. V- Replacement series is less efficient than the Additive series, V_ LER of intercropping system should be 1. 2) Sequential multiple cropping It is the multiple cropping system in which two or ‘more crops are grown in sequence on the same piece of land in a year or over a fixed period. 4) Sequence cropping In this cropping system two or more crops are grown in sequence one after another on the same piece of land in a year. 4) Double cropping,~ It is multiple cropping system in which two crops are grown in Sequence on the same piece of land in a year, eg. Black gram-Jowar, Black gram- Wheat, Rice-Gram, Groundnut-Wheat etc. eecropping, system in which the b) Triple cropping, It is the nuultiple crops are grown in sequence on a same land int a year, ¥ Itis possible when irrigation facilities are available throughout the year eS Gnut-Wheat-Okra, Rice-Wheat-Gnt Jowa >-Green gram, Soybean Wheat-G.nut ete, ©) Quadruple cropping. It is the multiple cropping, system in which four erops #re srown ina sequence on the same land int a year. Y Itis possible under irrigated conditions throughout the year. eg, G.nut-Coriandes Wheat-Green gram, Soybeat ‘Methi-Wheat-Green gram ete, ii) Ratoon cropping or Ratooning;- ‘The cult known ion of crop regrowth after harvest is rotoon cropping. ‘+ Ratooning is one of the important systems of intensive cropping. which implies more than one harvest from one sowing/planting because of regrowth from the basal buds on the stem after harvest of first crop. «Thus ratooning consists of allowing the stubbles of the original crop to strike again or to produce the tillers after harvesting and to raise another crop. eg, Ratooning of Sugarcane, Hybrid Jowar, Hybrid Bajra, and Redgram ete. > Advantages of multiple cropping 1) It increases the total production and gross monetary returns from the unit area ina year. 2) Fullfills various needs of food grains, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fodder etc, 3) Facilitates even distribution of labour throughout the year, 4) Better utilization of land, labour, power and other resources on the farm.the year. 5) Regular flow of income throught > Disadvantages of multiple cropping, 1) Fertility and productivity of the soil is lowered or exhausted if proper soil management practices are allowed. 2) Sometimes if affects the structure of the soil due fo continuous cropping and irrigation. 3) Sometimes control of pests, diseases and weeds becomes difficult. I) Fallowing or fallow in rotation.- In scarcity areas (dry farming) where rainfall is very low only two crops are taken in three years as against one crop every year is called as fallowing or fallow in rotation + A fallow year or season in one in which field is not cultivated with any crop but left without crop. ‘© The ficld may be left undisturbed in a ploughed condition or kept clean by frequent harrowing. ‘This practice is useful for conservation of soil moisture and maintaining fertility of the soil. + Inirrigated area some times one season is kept fallow for maintaining fertility of the soil and minimizing the damage to the soil due to continuous use of irrigation and cropping. > Definitions of important terms in cropping systems.- 1) Base crop. It is the major crop grown in intercropping system. 2) Inter crop. It is the additional crop grown in the space created in inter cropping systems. ee ae ee,8) Mixed crop/minor/subsidiary crop.- In the crop grown by seed mixture in in mixed cropping, 4) Main crop.- ‘The major crop grown in mixed cropping system. 5) Companion crop. The crop grown in association in cropping system for complementary effect. 6) Component crop.- Either of the crop grown in multiple cropping system. > Land Equivalent Ratio (LER): It is defined as relative land area under sole cropping to produce the yield from one hectare in intercropping, LER- Yield of base crop in intercropping + _Yield of inter crop in intercropping " Yield of base crop in sole cropping Yield of intercrop in sole cropping, > Crop Rotation.- A crop rotation may be defined as more or less systematic recurrent succession of crops on the same piece of land. eg. Jowar-Gram, Groundnut-Wheat