The type of Cropping Pattern is based on the basis of Crops sown in the particular farm land in a particular season. There are following type of cropping pattern mentioned:
Monocropping
Monocropping is the agricultural practice of growing a single crop year after year on the same land. In the absence of rotation through other crops or growing multiple crops on the same land, which is also known as polyculture. When it comes to popular crops, for monocropping, corn, soybeans, and wheat are three common crops often practices using monocropping techniques.
Mixed Cropping
This is the process of growing two or more crops together on the same piece of land simultaneously. The cereals with legumes, for example, wheat is with peas, gram, or mustard. Cotton with sunflower.
The objectives of crop mixtures are to get convenient installments of cash returns, especially in irrigated crops;
- to achieve a better distribution of labor throughout the year;
- to utilize available space and nutrients to the maximum extent possible;
- to safeguard against hazards of weather, diseases, and pests;
- to meet daily requirements like pulses, oil seeds, fibers among others;
- to get balanced cattle feed.
Read Also: Study Reveals Top 25 Dishes Impacting Biodiversity
Intercropping
Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in proximity. The most common goal of intercropping is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making effective use of resources without affecting the yield of the main crop.
Onion crop is suits best for intercrop with row planting of sugar cane (Nov.-Dec. Planting) under drip irrigation system. Ridges and furrows of 90 cm distance need to be prepare for planting sugar cane.
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land. To improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure.
For example, say a farmer has planted a field of corn. When the corn harvest is done, he might plant beans, since corn consumes a lot of nitrogen and beans return nitrogen to the soil.
A simple rotation might involve two or three crops, and complex rotations might incorporate a dozen or more.
Read Also: Importance of Cropping Pattern
