Unit 1

21AGR09-AGRONOMY
UNIT -I
BY
V. VENNILA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
AGRICULTURE ENGINEERING
CROPS AND CROPPING SYSTEMS
Concepts in crop production- Geographical distribution of crops and

cropping systems; economic importance-Crop Classification-Detailed
descriptions of rice based cropping systems-Sugarcane based cropping
systems-Cotton based cropping systems-Pulses and oilseeds based
cropping systems-Suitability in different agro-ecological regions.
What is a Cropping System?
• The Cropping system can be defined as the type and
sequence of crops cultivated over time on a specific
area of soil.
• It could involve cultivating a single crop on the same
land each year or rotating different crops in a regular
pattern.
• Since it is location-specific, it alters as place and
environment change.
• Any cropping system seeks to maximize return on
investment by making effective use of all available
resources, including solar energy, water, and land.
Cropping System - Factors to Consider for Crop Choice
• Any cropping system revolves around the choice of
crop.
• A farmer must consider a crop's profitability,
adaptability to changing conditions, and disease
resistance.
• It is also imperative to consider the need for specific
technologies during growth or harvesting when
deciding whether to plant it.
• They must also take into account the current
environmental conditions on their farm and how the
crop will fit in with other components of their
production system.
Mono-cropping
•Mono-cropping, also known as

monoculture, is the practice of growing
only one crop on the same plot of land
year after year.
•It could be due to climatological and
socioeconomic conditions, or it could be
due to a farmer's specialization in growing
a specific crop.
•Example: Rice is grown in canal irrigated
areas under waterlogged conditions
because no other crop can be grown.
Multiple Cropping
• Growing two or more crops at once
on the same piece of land is referred
to as multiple cropping.
• Multiple Cropping, for instance, is
when wheat and gram are grown
simultaneously on the same piece of
land.
• In the Global South, these multiple
cropping techniques are widely
practiced. This covers areas like Latin
America, Africa, Asia, etc.
• This is a widespread practice in these
areas, particularly on small farms
where they are grown to produce
food for households with little
means.
• With the use of this cropping
technique, farmers can increase crop
output and income by double.
Multiple Cropping - Types
Sequential Cropping
• Sequential cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in succession in
the same area in a single year.
• Crop intensification only occurs in the time dimension; there is no intercrop
competition.
• The following crop is planted after the previous crop has been harvested. One crop
at a time is managed by farmers in the same field.
• The Sequential Cropping pattern is further divided into the following:
• Double Cropping: It is the practice of planting two crops each year in successions,
such as rice coming after wheat, potatoes, or mustard; maize after groundnuts; and
wheat after cotton. Cropping intensity is 200 percent in this case.
• Triple Cropping: Triple cropping is the practice of growing three different crops one
after the other on the same land in a single year.
• Quadruple Cropping: Growing four successive crops every year is known as
quadruple cropping.
• Ratoon Cropping: Ratoon cropping is the practice of cultivating crop re growth after
harvest, though not always for grain.
Intercropping
• Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the
same field.
• Intercrop competition occurs throughout all or a portion of the crop growing season
as a result of crop intensification in both the temporal and geographical dimensions.
• Intercropping is a traditional technique employed by subsistence farmers,
particularly in rainfed environments.
• The further types of intercropping are as follows:
• Mixed Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously without a clear
row pattern is known as mixed intercropping.
• Row Intercropping: Row intercropping is the practice of planting two or more crops
at once, usually in rows.
• Strip Intercropping: Strip intercropping is the practice of cultivating two or more
crops concurrently in distinct strips that are wide enough to allow for autonomous
cultivation but narrow enough to allow for agronomic interaction between the crops.
• Relay Intercropping: Relay intercropping is the practice of growing two or more
crops concurrently during a portion of each one's life cycle; a second crop is planted
after the first has reached its reproductive growth stage but before it is ready for
harvest.
Sugarcane Based Cropping Systems
In long duration crops like sugarcane there is no scope for sequential cropping since the crop occupies
the land for one year. However, sugarcane is rotated with other crops.
Crop Rotations:
Since sugarcane occupies the field for one year, it is rotated with other crops in two or more years
rotations.
Major rotations involving sugarcane crop are given below:
Rice/maize – sugarcane – greengram
Rice – sugarcane – ratoon – wheat
Rice – potato – sugarcane – ratoon
Rice -rice – sugarcane (adasli)
Rice – sugarcane – groundnut
Rice – sugarcane – fingermillet
Rice – sugarcane – ratoon.
Companion Cropping:
Crop diversification through companion cropping in sugarcane holds great
promise in increasing the land utilisation efficiency. Growing a short duration crop
in between two rows of sugarcane crop is called companion cropping.
The term companion cropping, synonymous with intercropping, is used mainly
with sugarcane. Companion cropping is defined as growing short duration crop in
between sugarcane rows such that it is harvested before the elongation phase of
sugarcane. In other words, it is intercropping in sugarcane.
Following are the major companion cropping system in India:
Autumn Planted Sugarcane:
Autumn Planted Sugarcane:

Companion cropping of sugarcane + potato produces higher yield of component crops over potato-cane system. Two rows
of rajmash (PDR 14) in between sugarcane rows are more profitable. Two rows of lentil (DPL 15) as companion crop can
save 38 kg N ha-1. Varuna mustard + sugarcane in 1:1 proportion is more remunerative than sole sugarcane.
Spring Planted Sugarcane:
Companion cropping is profitable in Uttar Pradesh, north Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. Minimum loss in cane yield is with
greengram varieties PDM 11 and PDM 84-139 (4-5%). Among the dual purpose legumes, highest monetary returns are
with sugarcane + Pusa komal cowpea followed by sugarcane + K 851 greengram.
Nitrogen economy in sugarcane with these systems is around 40 kg N ha -1. Susbania sesban at high density in spring
planted sugarcane effectively controls weeds and its in situ turning exhibits allelopathic effects on germination of Cyperus
rotundus nuts.
Grain Cereals in Sugarcane:
Surya and Sweet maize cultivars as compnion crop in spring planted sugarcane can be harvested before the
commencement of hot weather in north India. In autumn planted crop, long duration Azad Uttam maize could find place.
Companion cropping of maize in February planted cane as well as initiated ratoon offers great potential for mid-season
income in maize growing areas of subtropical belt. Staggered planting of sugarcane (CoPt 90223) at 45:105:45 cm
accommodating two rows of Surya maize is profitable.
Simultaneous planting of sugarcane + wheat compensates the crop yield over wheat-sugarcane sequence, necessitating
late planting of cane. Simultaneous planting system produces 70 t ha -1 of sugarcane and 4 t ha-1 of wheat.

Unit 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

21AGR09-AGRONOMY

Concepts in crop production- Geographical distribution of crops and

•Mono-cropping, also known as

Autumn Planted Sugarcane:

Autumn Planted Sugarcane:

You might also like