Types and Advantages of Intercropping

In this article, we are going to see the types and advantages of intercropping in Agriculture.

Intercropping and Crop rotation are elective methodologies connected in Multiple Cropping.

Intercropping is a technique for growing at least two harvests together in closeness on a similar land.

Intercropping helps in preventing pest and diseases to spread all through the field and furthermore increases soil fertility.

Read also : Crop Rotation and its Importance in Vegetable Growing

There are four types of Intercropping:

Row Inter Cropping – Growing at least two harvests in the meantime with no less than one yield planted in rows. Example: Annual products, for example, rice, corn and pineapple are ordinarily developed as intercrop between the rows.  Banana, Papaya, Coffee and Cacao are generally developed in numerous lines.

Read also : Advantage and Disadvantage of Greenhouse Technology

Strip Inter Cropping – In this strategy at least two harvests become together in strips sufficiently wide to permit isolate generation of yields utilizing mechanical actualizes however sufficiently close for the products to interact. Example: Wheat, Soybean and Corn

Mixed Inter Cropping – Growing at least two yields in the meantime with no unmistakable line arrangement. Example: Annual harvests, for example, developing bean, corn and squash.

Read also: Soil Management and its Importance

Relay Inter Cropping – Growing a moment trim is planted into a current yield when it has blossomed however before harvesting. Example: Cassava, Cotton and Sweet Potato

In Crop rotation or Sequential cropping, at least two harvests are grown in a steady progression in a similar land parcel. Example: Corn – Tubers – Squash – Root Crops – Tomato – Peas – Brassicas

Read also: Water Management in Crop Production

Advantages of Intercropping 

1. Reduction in soil erosion and controls pests and weeds;
2. Intercropping with cash crops is higher profitable;
3. It acts as an insurance against failure of crops in abnormal year;
4. Inter-crops maintain the soil fertility as the nutrient uptake is made from both layers of soil;
5. Inter-cropping gives additional yield income/unit area than sole cropping;
6. It helps to avoid inter-crop competition and thus a higher number of crop plants are grown per unit area;
7. Inter cropping system utilizes resources efficiently and increases the productivity
8. Intercrops provide shade and support to the other crop.