What kinds of crops are grown in intercropping ? (2024)

FAQs

What kinds of crops are grown in intercropping ? ›

The crops have completely different nutrient demands selected for intercropping. The crops like wheat, corn, and soybean are grown in intercropping.

Crops having different nutrient requirement are selected for intercropping. For example Soyabean with maize, cowpea (lobia) with finger millet (bajra). Legumes are preferred with cereals. Was this answer helpful?

A common combination of species used in intercropping include grains and legumes. Intercropping increases crop diversity, which can make crop production more stable. That is because when there is only one crop type, the field is susceptible to pests, diseases, and weeds.

A few rows of one crop alternate with a few rows of a second crop, for example, soyabean + maize, or finger millet (bajra) + cowpea (lobia).

Despite these benefits, intercropping has yet to be widely adopted due to perceived risks and challenges including decreased crop yield, increased management complexity, a steep learning curve for successful management, and increased susceptibility to pests.

Intercropping Prevent soil and wind erosion

Trapping crops may also serve as protection to the real crops against wind, erosion, and excessive sunlight.

First, an intercrop may use resources of light, water, and nutrients more efficiently than single crops planted in separate areas, and this can improve yields and income. Second, crop mixtures frequently have lower pest densities, especially of insect pests.

Disadvantages of Intercropping

It leads to competition for space and nutrients, and this may lead to lower yields. Agronomic practices are sometimes difficult to perform. There is an easy spread of pests and diseases and requires more inputs, especially seeds, which may be difficult for the farmer to afford.

What plants are used for intercropping? ›

Mixed cropping is a cropping method in which two or even more crops are planted and cultivated simultaneously on the same land. On the other hand, intercropping is a kind of crop cultivation in which 2 distinct types of products are grown and farmed in a specific pattern within the same plot of land.

Intercropping is a type of sustainable farming practice that entails two or more crops growing in the same field side by side in the same or overlapping growing season (not necessarily sown or harvested simultaneously).

Modern farm combination

Peas and canola are an example of a successful intercropping system, Jacobs says.

Intercrops may demonstrate weed control advantages over sole crops in two ways. First, greater crop yield and less weed growth may be achieved if intercrops are more effective than sole crops in usurping resources from weeds or suppressing weed growth through allelopathy.

In the inter-cropping pattern the crops are grown in a definite pattern of rows 1:1, 2:1 or 1:3 or we say they are grown in a set pattern. For example- some rows of soybean alternate with some rows of maize within the total field area.

The ratio of rice and intercrop is preferred to be 3-4:1. Relay/paira/utera cropping: The seed of succeeding crops like lentil, gram, pea, lathyrus, berseem, linseed etc. is sown broadcast in maturing rice crop.

Intercropping is a type of multiple cropping that includes cultivating two or more crops in close proximity to one another. Advantages of intercropping: Fertility, the ability of the soil to maintain plant growth, is very well maintained. It is one of the natural ways to control pests.

One approach to obtaining sufficient weed control and getting the most out of your organic crops is through the practice of intercropping.