Question

What is mixed cropping and inter cropping

Answer 1

 Definition of Mixed Cropping

Mixed Cropping is used to mean a cropping technique, in which two or more plants are planted simultaneously, in a particular piece of land. In this process, the components of the crops are intermingled in the available space in a way, that they grow together. It aims at decreasing the risk of crop failure, due to unfavourable weather conditions.

The crops are selected on the basis of their duration, water need, nutrients required, growth, root pattern, and so forth.

This system of cropping is practised by the farmers to avoid total crop failure, due to less rainfall. It restores soil fertility, as the products and remains of one plant assist in the growth of the other and vice versa. As a result, the overall crop yield increases.

The most common combinations used in mixed cropping are wheat and gram, groundnut and sunflower, wheat and peas, etc.

Definition of Intercropping

Intercropping connotes a system of sowing two or more crops at the same time in a particular piece of land, in a definite row pattern, so as to increase the productivity of crops sown. It is primarily practised by small farmers, who depend on rainfall, for better yield.

This process involves a specific row pattern, i.e. 1:1, or 1:2, meaning that one row of the main crop to one or two row of the other crops. In this process, those crops are combined, whose nutrient requirements vary with one another. It ensures optimum utilization of the nutrients supplied. Further, it prevents the spread of pests and diseases to all the plants belonging to a particular crop.

The common combinations used for intercropping purposes are soybean and maize, finger millet and cowpea.

Answer 2

Answer:

In mixed cropping or mixed farming, two independent crops are mixed together and grown in an area, whereas the intercropping is a multiple cropping techniques where two or more crops are grown in proximity. Mixed cropping and intercropping are essentially two separate farming techniques with specific goals.