Cropping Systems

Cropping Systems

Pattern of crops taken up for a given piece of land, or sequence in which the crops are cultivated on piece of land over a fixed period and their interaction with farm resources and other farm enterprises.

Monocropping

This is where only one type of crop is planted on the same piece of land year after year

If a disease attack the crop the whole crop will affected. Farmers do not have a backup income

Mixed Cropping

Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land, without any definite row arrangement. Farmer has a regular income

Inter-Cropping

It refers to growing of two or more generally different crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. Usually the base crop is grown in a distinct row arrangement

Strip Cropping

This involves planting broad strips of several crops in the field. Each strip is 3–9 m wide. On slopes, the strips can be laid out along the contour to prevent erosion. The next year, the farmer can rotate crops by planting each strip with a different crop. Strip cropping has many of the advantages of intercropping: it produces a variety of crops, the legume improves the soil fertility, and rotation helps reduce pest and weed problems. The residues from one strip can be used as soil cover for neighbouring strips. At the same time, strip cropping avoids some of the disadvantages of intercropping: managing the single crop within the strip is easy, and competition between the crops is reduced.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a key principle of conservation agriculture because it improves the soil structure and fertility, and because it helps control weeds, pests and diseases. Different crops are planted in the same piece of land in a cycle.

Shifting Cultivation

Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned and allowed to revert to their natural vegetation while the cultivator moves on to another plot

Slash and Burn agriculture

Slash and burn agriculture is the process of cutting down the vegetation in a particular plot of land, setting fire to the remaining foliage, and using the ashes to provide nutrients to the soil for use of planting food crops. The cleared area following slash and burn is used for a relatively short period of time, and then left alone for a longer period of time so that vegetation can grow again

Question

Answer the following question :

List the advantages and disadvantages of Mono-cropping, Crop rotation, Inter cropping, slash & burn agriculture