MIXED CROPPING

Definition:

Mixed cropping is defined as a type of cropping in which the plantation of two or more crops is done simultaneously in the same field.

Mixed Cropping Process:

Mixed cropping, otherwise called polyculture, between trimming, or co-development, is a sort of agribusiness that includes planting at least two plants at the same time in a similar field, interdigitating the yields—like interlocking your fingers—so they become together. Since crops mature during various seasons, planting more than one saves space and gives an abundance of natural advantages, including keeping an equilibrium of info and outgo of soil supplements; weed, illness, bug bother concealment; protection from environment limits (wet, dry, hot, cold); an increment in generally efficiency, and the executives of scant land assets to its most extreme potential.

Mixed Cropping in Early History:

Planting tremendous fields with single yields—monoculture farming—is a new creation of the modern horticultural complex. While unequivocal archeological proof is hard to get, it's accepted that most horticultural field frameworks in the past elaborate some mixed cropping. That is because regardless of whether herbal proof of plant deposits (like starches or phytoliths) of different yields are found in an old field, it's demonstrated hard to realize they are the aftereffect of blended trimming or pivot cropping (crop rotation).

The essential justification ancient mixed cropping likely had more to do with the requirements of the rancher's family, instead of any acknowledgment that blended editing was a smart thought. It's conceivable that specific plants adjusted to multi-trimming after some time because of the taming interaction.

Exemplary Mixed Cropping: Called as Three Sisters

The exemplary illustration of mixed cropping is the American three sisters: corn, beans, and squash. The three sisters were trained on various occasions, yet, this process joined them to frame a significant part of Local American horticulture and food. The mixed plantation of the three sisters, truly reported by the Seneca and Iroquois clans in the U.S. upper east. They started mixed cropping after 1000 C.E.

The technique comprises of sowing each of the three seeds in a similar opening. As they develop, the maize gives a tail to the beans to jump on, the beans are supplement rich to balance those taken out by the maize, and the squash develops low to the ground to battle weed development and holds water back from vanishing from the dirt in the warmth.

Common Myth:

There is a common myth that crop rotation and mixed cropping are the same. But, crop rotation is the planation of a single crop at one time in the field, and then next year, the other crop will plant in the same field. On the other hand, mixed cropping is the plantation of two or more crops simultaneously in the same field.

Benefits and Importance of Mixed Cropping:

It gives:

• *Biodiverse (variable) environment.
• * A habitat that is beneficial for insects
• * Produce higher yields than any other cropping system
• * Improve Biomass
• * Manage water scarcity resources
• * Decrease the risk of crop failure
• * Improve soil fertility level

Policy for Mixed Cropping:

• *Certified Seeds should be used.
• * We should plant weed-free crops.
• * No excess use of pesticides in the field.
• * Give proper Irrigation.
• * Continuous management of the field to protect it from insects, pests, and diseases.
• * Choose the fertile land.
• * Proper utilization of fertilizers.

Duration of Crops:

Crop duration is an important factor in mixed cropping. If you are planting two crops in the same field simultaneously, then one crop should be of longer duration than the other one.

Size of Crops:

Out of two Crops, one crop should grow taller than the other one.

Nutrients Requirement:

• *One crop should use a lesser amount of nutrients, and other components of crops should use a higher amount of nutrients.
• * If one crop is deep-rooted in mixed cropping, the other should be shallow-rooted in the same field.
• * In mixed cropping, one crop should use a large amount of water than the other one.