cropping systems, cropping patterns abt-320
DESCRIPTION
Introduction Cropping system comprises all components required for the production of a particular crop and the interrelationships between them and environment. In the cropping systems, sometimes a number of crops are grown together or they are grown separately at short intervals in the same field. This delineates cropping patterns.TRANSCRIPT
Cropping systems, Cropping patterns ABT-320
Dr. Rabia Amir Lecture 6 Introduction Cropping system comprises all
components required for the production of a particular crop and the
interrelationships between them and environment. In the cropping
systems, sometimes a number of crops are grown together or they are
grown separately at short intervals in the same field. This
delineates cropping patterns. Basic Principle of cropping
systems
Choose crops that complement each other Choose crops and a cropping
system which utilize available resources efficiently Choose crops
and a cropping pattern that maintain and enhance soil fertility
Choose crops which have a diversity of growth cycle Choose a
diverse species of crops Keep the soil covered Strategically plan
and modify the cropping system as needed Objectives of cropping
systems
Efficient utilization of all resources viz. land, water, and solar
radiation maintaining stability in production and obtaining higher
net returns. The efficiency is measured by the quantity of produce
obtained per unit resource in a unit time Benefits of cropping
systems
Maintain and enhance soil fertility Enhance crop growth Minimize
spread of disease Control weeds Inhibit insect and pest growth
Increase soil cover Reduce risk for crop failure Use resources more
efficiently Classifications of Cropping System
Depending on the resources and technology available, different
types of cropping systems are adopted on farms, which are as below:
Sole cropping (monoculture) Intensive cropping: Multiple cropping
Intercropping Sequential cropping/Crop rotation Monocropping
Disadvantages:
it is difficult to maintain cover on the soil it encourages pests,
diseases and weeds it can reduce the soil fertility and damage the
soil structure. Intensive cropping Need for intensive
cropping
Cropping systems has to be evolved based on climate, soil and water
availability for efficient use of available natural resources. The
increase in population has put pressure on land to increase
productivity per unit area, unit time and for unit resource used.
Multiple cropping Growing two or more crops on the same field in a
year. Annual and perennial plants can be organized in fields
together. It is a form ofpolyculture tomatoes + onions + marigold;
the marigolds repel some tomato pests. Intercropping Intercropping
is the growing of two or more crops together in proximity on the
same land. As a result, two or more crops are managed at the same
time. It differs from crop rotation in which two or more crops are
grown one after the other. There are at least four types of
intercropping according to spatial arrangement (Sullivan, 2003).
Intercropping Row intercropping Row intercropping is the growing of
two or more crops at the same time with at least one crop planted
in rows. In farms grown to perennial crops, annual crops like corn,
rice and pineapple are commonly grown as intercrop between the rows
of the main crop. This strategy is an efficient way of maximizing
the use of farm land by utilizing vacant spaces while at the same
time suppressing the growth of weeds during the juvenile stage of
the main crop. Row-intercropping Strip intercropping Strip
intercropping is the growing of two or more crops together in
strips wide enough to allow separate production of crops using
mechanical implements, but close enough for the crops to interact.
Examples of successful strip intercropping practices are:
alternating strips of wheat, corn and soybean 6 rows wide each;
oat, corn and soybean; and 6 rows of corn with 12 rows of soybean.
Strip intercropping Mixed intercropping Mixed intercropping or
mixed cropping is the growing of two or more crops at the same time
with no distinct row arrangement. Relay intercropping Relay
intercropping or relay cropping is a system in which a second crop
is planted into an existing crop when it has flowered (reproductive
stage) but before harvesting. There is thus a minimum temporal
overlap of two or more crops. The relay crop should be fairly
tolerant to shade and trampling. Examples of relay crops are
cassava, cotton, sweet potato and sesban with corn; chickpea,
lentil and wheat with upland rice. Relay intercropping FAVORITE
COMBINATIONS FOR INTERcropping VEGETABLE
SUGGESTED LOCATION ARUGULA between tomatoes under pole beans or
trellised cucumbers BASIL between tomatoes BUSH BEANS between
tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant BEETS between brassicas (broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower), onions, leeks, or zucchini
CARROTS between bush beans, leeks, or tomatoes CILANTRO between
leeks LETTUCE under corn, pole beans, or tomatoes; between celery,
celeriac, leeks, or brassicas ONIONS between cabbage plants (or any
other member of the brassica family) PARSLEY RADISHES everywhere
(theyre said to help repel pests when planted with cucumbers or
squash) SPINACH under pole beans or trellised cucumbers and between
leeks, turnips, and brassicas WINTER SQUASH under corn World wide
practices Examples of mixed intercropping of annual crops are the
practice of growing corn, bean and squash in Central America and
forage sorghum with silage corn in Oregon. In Canada, research
showed increased production per land area by growing together
soybean and corn for silage in the same rows. Advantages of
intercropping
Better use of growth resources including light, nutrients and water
Suppression of weeds Yield stability; even if one crop fails due to
unforeseen situations, another crop will yield and gives income
Successful intercropping gives higher equivalent yields (yield of
base crop + yield of intercrop), higher cropping intensity Reduced
pest and disease incidences Improvement of soil health and agro-eco
system Comparison Crop rotation In crop rotation or sequential
cropping, two or more crops are grown one after the other in the
same piece of land. It is advantageous that the succeeding crop
belongs to a family different from that of the previous crop. The
period of crop rotation may be for two to three years or longer.
Farm income significantly increased by alternating lowland rice
with high-value crops like garlic, onion, melons, bell pepper and
other vegetables. Example of a Four Year Crop Rotation Advantages
of crop rotation
In addition to increased crop yields and profit, the following are
the advantages of crop rotation over monoculture. Better control of
weeds: Crop rotation is intended to break the life cycle and
suppress the growth of weeds. The sequential planting of different
crops may check the development of any weed species and reduce weed
growth especially if cover crops or green manures and tall-growing
row crops are used as component rotation crops. Advantages Better
control of pests and diseases:
Some pests and causal organisms of plant diseases are host
specific. They attack certain crop species or those belonging to
the same family but not others. For example, the problem with rice
stem borer will continue if rice is not rotated with other crops of
a different family. This is because food will be always available
to the pest. However, if legume is planted as the next crop, then
corn, beans and bulbs, the build up of the pest will be disrupted
because they will be deprived of food. Advantages Improved soil
structure and organic matter content.
The alternate planting of deep and shallow rooted plants will break
up the soil. The planting of soybean, other grain legumes, sweet
potato and vegetables will return sufficient quantities of plant
residues to the soil as their leaves drop on the ground or body
parts are left on the field after harvest, instead of being burned
as is commonly practiced with sugarcane. Green manures will add
significant amounts of organic matter. Advantages 4. Improved soil
fertility.
The continuous growing of a single crop will result to the
depletion of certain soil nutrients. With crop rotation, soil
fertility will be promoted through alternate planting of crops
having different nutrient needs. This will prevent the depletion of
any one essential element present in the soil. Leguminous plants,
because of their ability to accumulate nitrogen by fixing it from
the air in association with Rhizobium bacteria, will improve soil
fertility. Thank You !