CROPPING PATTERN

• Cropping pattern helps in increasing food production in same amount of fields.
• There are three types of cropping pattern.

1. Mixed cropping
2. Intercropping 
3. Crop rotation

Mixed cropping

• The process of agriculture in which two or more types of crops are growing simultaneously is known as mixed cropping.
• It reduces the risk of crop failure due to abnormal weather conditions.

How to select the crops for mixed cropping??

• The crops which have to used in mixed cropping is such a way that the waste material of one crops is helpful for others and vice versa.
• One is tall then other one is short.
• One is deep rooted then other one is shallow rooted.
• One required more water and nutrients then other needs less water and nutrients.
• eg:- Maize + urad been , Cotton + Moong bean , Groundnut + sunflower, Wheat + Mustard , Wheat + Chick pea, Barley + Chick pea.  etc.

Advantage of mixed cropping

• The risk of total crop failure is reduced.
• The yield of both the crops are increased.
• Fertility of soil is increased.
• Chances of pest infestation are reduced.