By…. Assist. Prof., Dr. Tiwa Pakoktom

Topic…“Cropping system”

The Training on…“Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing”

1

Cropping system The cropping patterns used on a farm and

their interaction with farm resources, other farmenterprises, and available technology whichdetermine their make up.

Cropping pattern The yearly sequence and spatial

arrangement of crops and fallow on a given area.

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.

Choose crops that complement each other Choose crops and a cropping rotation which utilize

available resources efficiently Choose crops and a cropping 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

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 thequantity of produce obtained per unitresource in a unit time.

Maintain and enhance soil fertility Enhance crop growthMinimize spread of disease Control weeds Inhibit insect and pest growth Increase soil cover Reduce risk for crop failure Use resources more efficiently

Depending on the resources andtechnology available, different types ofcropping systems are adopted on farms,which are as below… Sole cropping (monoculture) Intensive cropping:

• Multiple cropping• Intercropping

Sequential cropping Crop rotation

monoCultureThis is where the field is used to grow only one crop

season after season . Also known as solid planting.

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:Growing number of crops on the same piece

of land during the given period of time.

Cropping systems has to be evolved based onclimate, soil and water availability forefficient use of available natural resources.

The increase in population has put pressureon land to increase productivity per unit area,unit time and for unit resource used.

Number of crops cultivated ina piece of land per annum is croppingintensity.

In Punjab and Tamil Nadu, thecropping intensity is more than 100%(i.e. around 140-150%). In Rajasthan,the cropping intensity is less.

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 of polyculture.

tomatoes + onions + marigold; the marigolds repel some tomato pests.

interCropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously

on the same field. There is intercrop competition during all or

part of crop growth.

It is further sub-divided as

(a) Mixed intercropping(b) Row intercropping(c) Strip intercropping(d) Relay intercropping

Mixed intercropping:Growing two or more crops simultaneously

with no distinct row arrangement. Also referredto as mixed cropping.

Row intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously

where one or more crops are planted in rows.Often simply referred to as intercropping.

Strip intercropping:Growing two or more crops simultaneously

in strips wide enough to permit independentcultivation but narrow enough for the crops tointeract.

Alternating 15-inch rows of radish and oats.

Relay intercropping:Growing two or more crops simultaneously during

the part of the life cycle of each. A second crop is plantedafter the first crop has reached its reproductive stage ofgrowth, but, before it is ready for harvest. Often simplyreferred to as relay cropping.

FAVORITE COMBINATIONS FOR INTERCROPPING

VEGETABLE SUGGESTED LOCATION

ARUGULA between tomatoes under pole beans or trellised cucumbersBASIL between tomatoes

BUSH BEANS between tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant

BEETSbetween brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts,cabbage, cauliflower), onions, leeks, or zucchini

CARROTS between bush beans, leeks, or tomatoesCILANTRO between leeks

LETTUCEunder corn, pole beans, or tomatoes; between celery, celeriac, leeks, or brassicas

ONIONSbetween cabbage plants (or any other member ofthe brassica family)

PARSLEY between tomatoes

RADISHESeverywhere (they’re said to help repel pests whenplanted with cucumbers or squash)

SPINACHunder pole beans or trellised cucumbers andbetween leeks, turnips, and brassicas

WINTER SQUASH under corn

Better use of growth resourcesincluding light, nutrients and waterSuppression of weedsYield stability; even if one crop fails

due to unforeseen situations, anothercrop will yield and gives income

Successful intercropping gives higherequivalent yields (yield of base crop + yieldof intercrop), higher cropping intensityReduced pest and disease incidencesImprovement of soil health and agro-eco

system

sequential CroppingGrowing two or more crops in

sequence on the same field in afarming year. The succeeding cropis planted after the preceding crophas been harvested.

Crop intensification is only in timedimension.

There is no intercrop competition.

(a) Double, triple and quadruple cropping:Growing two, three and four crops, respectively,on the same land in a year in sequence.

Quadruple cropping: Tomato: ridge gourd: Amaranthus greens: baby corn

Examples

Triple cropping: garlic and shallots are drying off and willsoon be ready to lift, a succession of broad beans and peasare scheduled to be harvested before August and the earlypotatoes will all be gone by mid July.

Fennel resprouts from thestump! Cut the main bulbhigh, and then harvest babysprouts a few weeks later.

first cabbage, broccoli head, orwhatever, which leaves behind plenty ofopportunities for latent basal buds tomobilize and start growing.

(b) Ratoon cropping:The cultivation of crop

re-growth after harvest, althoughnot necessarily for grain.Ex.Fennel:ratoon; Broccoli: ratoon

Crop rotation

changing the type of crops grownin the field each season or each year (orchanging from crops to fallow).

Crops with tap roots should be followed bycrops with a fibrous root system as this helpsin the proper and uniform use of nutrientsfrom the soil. In addition, roots do notcompete with each other for the uptake ofnutrients

Legumes should be grown after non legumes asthey fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil andadd more organic matter to the soil

Exhaustive crops (crops which need moreinputs like more fertilizer, irrigation, insecticideetc.) should be followed by less exhaustivecrops, which require less care (i.e., Potatoshould be followed by leguminous crops)

Selection of crop should be demand-based (thatis, crops needed by the market should bechosen as it can be sold at a higher price)

Crop selection also depends on land type,irrigation facilities, soil and climaticconsiderations. Financial constraints of thefarmer should also be kept in mind.

In crop rotation, different types of plants arealternated through the same bed over time. Thereare different types of crop rotation, such as:

rotation by plant type:

legume (peas and beans) fruiting vegetable(eg, capsicum) leafy green vegetable (eg.lettuce, cabbage) finally, root crop (eg. potato)

Crop rotation Types

rotation by plant family:set up eight beds with these plant families:Brassicaceae (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels

sprouts, kohlrabi, radish, , turnip, mustard greens)Solanaceae (tomato, capsicum, potato, eggplant)Fabacace (broad bean, bean, peas)Cucurbitaceae (cucumber, squash, pumpkin, watermelon,

rockmelon)Apiaceae (carrot, celery, coriander, dill, parsley)Chenopodiaceae (silver beet, beetroot, spinach)Asteraceae (lettuce, globe artichoke, jerusalem artichoke)Alliceae (onion, shallot, leek).

Crop rotation Types

Example of a Four Year Crop Rotation

Fig: Example of a 6 Year crop rotation

Any cropping pattern, if followed correctly,will have several advantages. These advantagesare:

Agricultural operations can be done on time,for all the crops because of less competition.

Soil fertility is restored by fixing atmosphericnitrogen, encouraging microbial activity.

Weeds, disease and insects can often be moreeasily managed.

Proper utilization of all resources and inputsis made as the farmer, his labor, power,equipment and machines are well employedthroughout the year.

Growing crops of different nature ensuresbest utilization of residual moisture,fertility and organic residues.

It also improves percolation, soil structureand reduces chances of creation of hardpan in sub-soil zone.

tHanK you