Explaining cropping pattern briefly
Answers
Crop pattern refers to the proportion of area under different crops at a particular period of time. A change in cropping pattern means a change in the proportion of area under different crops
There are three types of cropping patterns:
1) Mixed Cropping:
Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land.
Minimises the risk of crop failure.
Seeds of two crops are mixed before sowing.
Pest control of individual crop is difficult.
Separate harvesting and threshing of individual crops is not possible.
Crops yield can be increased.
Example: Wheat + Gram, Wheat + Mustard, Groundnut + Sunflower
2) Inter-cropping:
Growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in a definite pattern.
increases the productivity per unit area.
Pesticides can be easily applied to individual crop.
Both crops can be easily harvested and threshed.
Soil erosion is reduced.
Allows better use of natural resources such as light, soil air and water.
Example: Soyabean + Maize, Finger millet (Bajra) + Cowpea (lobia)
3) Crop Rotation:
Growing of different crops on the same land in pre-planned succession.
Allows soil to recover its lost nutrients.
Helps to control pests, weeds and diseases.
Helps to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers.
Example: Maize-Mustard, Rice-Wheat, Maize-Mustard-Sugarcane-Fenugreek, Maize-Potato-Sugarcane-Peas