Inter-cropping can change the farmer income .......

[rakesh777]

Intercropping: Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land (field). There is a crop intensification in both time and space dimensions. There is intercrop competition during all or part of crop growth.

Type of intercropping:
1. Mixed intercropping
2. Row intercropping
2. Strip intercropping
4. Relay intercropping

Definitions of Intercropping system:
1. Mixed Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously with no district row arrangement.
2. Row Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously where one or more crops are planted in rows.
3. Strip Intercropping: Growing soil conserving and soil depleting crops in alternate strips running perpendicular to the slope of the land or to the direction of prevailing winds for the purpose of reducing errosion.
4. Relay Intercropping: Seeding planting two or more succeeding crops after flowering and before the harvest of the standing crop.

Advantages:
1. Intercropping gives higher income per unit area than sole cropping.
2. It acts as an insurance against failure of crop in abnormal year.
3. Intercrops maintain soil fertility as the nutrient uptake is made from both layers.
4. Reduce soil runoff.
Limitations: Intercropping system is uneconomical and undesirable during rabi.
Crops to be considered for intercropping.
A) Kharif crops:
1. Medium black soils:
a) Pearl millet + Red gram 2: 1
b) Pearl millet + Horse gram / Kidney bean / cow pea Inter row of pearl millet.
3. Soils up to 20 cm depth
a) Pearl millet + red gram (30 - 60 - 30 cm)
B) Rabi crops:
Safflower + Gram (2: 1)
D) Fodder for milch animals: Sorghum bajara + Cowpea or horse gram or kidney bean.

In rained areas of Maharashtra:
1. Sorghum / pearl millet / cotton + red gram / black gram or kidney bean or cowpea or groundnut.
2. Groundnut + Sunflower.
Cotton + soybean, cotton + Black gram
Safflower + gram

How intercropping economizes water use:
Selection of intercrop is one the basis of duration of crop and growth rethyms. The short duration crop gets harvested and long duration crop gets the benefits of September showers and produces more yields. E.g. Pearl millet + red grams.
LER: It is observed that under the rainfall situation deviating from 2090 to 50 percent, the intercropping system of bajara + red gram is more stable as cowpea to the pure crops tried. On an average, the land equivalent ratio (LER) comes to 77 percent compared to pure crop.




Thanks & Regards:

Rakesh Kumar
Agripreneur
Vill. Bishanpur,
Gadarpur,
Udham Singh Nagar
Uttarakhand
rakesh.gbpuat@gmail.com
08605679590

 

[editorialteam]

Tips for Intercropping

There are few thumbrules.
1. The two crops should not have the same pest problems (like Tomatoes, Brinjals, Okra are effected by same fruit borer),
2. The nutrient need of two crops should not be same or they should extract nutrients from different layers of soil (sallow & deep root crop),
3. If one crop is tuber (Potato, Onion) other should be fruit bearing (Tomato, Brinjal).
4. its better to have a row of crops which acts as pest repellent like Garlic, Marigold, Onion etc.

As told by -
Mr. Adarsh Singh
Adarsh Organics

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Mr. Rakesh,

Why do you think - intercropping can change farmer’s income’ ?

Regards,
Shweta - Editorial Team

 

[rakesh777]

Dear Shweta,

There is no doubt. i had experience the same thing in my field wherein i had cultivate Wheat + Mentha oil as relay cropping and Mentha oil + Cucumber and got additional crop of Mentha oil(Rs.35000/acre) and cucumber(R.40,000/acre extra).
and there are many example for the same.

 

[rakesh777]

Capsicum + maize intercropping under open condition

Alternative to Shade net House for Summer crop under Open Cultivation.

A B S T R A C T
The experiment regarding the studies on growth and flowering characteristics of capsicum in maize based intercropping system consisting of eight treatments viz capsicum in flat bed without maize (T1), single row of capsicum with single row of maize (1:1) in flat bed (T2), double row of capsicum with single row of maize (2:1) in flat bed (T3), triple row of capsicum with single row of maize (3:1) in flat bed (T4), capsicum in ridge bed without maize (T5), single row of capsicum with single row of maize (1:1) in ridge bed (T6), double row of capsicum with single row of maize (2:1) in ridge bed (T7), triple row of capsicum with single row of maize (3:1) in ridge bed (T8) with 3 replications in randomized block design was conducted at Vegetable Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during spring summer season of 2008. Treatment T6 i e planting of single row of capsicum with single row of maize (1:1) in ridge bed gave the best results on the growth characteristics viz plant height (40.18cm), plant diameter (13.08mm), chlorophyll content of leaves (1187.05μg g-1 FW) and days of initiation of 50 per cent flowering (57.33).



Thanks & Regards:

Rakesh Kumar
Agripreneur
Vill. Bishanpur,
Gadarpur,
Udham Singh Nagar
Uttarakhand
rakesh.gbpuat@gmail.com
08605679590
MERE DHESH KI DHARTI SONA OOGLE.........

 

[gprao]

good information - thanks giving

Alternative to Shade net House for Summer crop under Open Cultivation.

A B S T R A C T
The experiment regarding the studies on growth and flowering characteristics of capsicum in maize based intercropping system consisting of eight treatments viz capsicum in flat bed without maize (T1), single row of capsicum with single row of maize (1:1) in flat bed (T2), double row of capsicum with single row of maize (2:1) in flat bed (T3), triple row of capsicum with single row of maize (3:1) in flat bed (T4), capsicum in ridge bed without maize (T5), single row of capsicum with single row of maize (1:1) in ridge bed (T6), double row of capsicum with single row of maize (2:1) in ridge bed (T7), triple row of capsicum with single row of maize (3:1) in ridge bed (T8) with 3 replications in randomized block design was conducted at Vegetable Research Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during spring summer season of 2008. Treatment T6 i e planting of single row of capsicum with single row of maize (1:1) in ridge bed gave the best results on the growth characteristics viz plant height (40.18cm), plant diameter (13.08mm), chlorophyll content of leaves (1187.05μg g-1 FW) and days of initiation of 50 per cent flowering (57.33).

Dear sir,very good information and i want to appreciate for this info. The universities should work like this and the news should be brought to light like this. thanks once again.

 

[rakesh777]

Dear Rao,
Thanks for the appreciation!

 

[editorialteam]

Crop matrix means providing suitable spacing between samplings and doing intercropping in such a way that water and nutrient supplied to the soil is absorbed to a maximum extent.

For e.g.

Case 1. A farmer intends to go for coconut plantation since he has found it suitable to his area of operation. Normally he intends to take care of the main plantation since it is his main object.

Normally if he does not have additional irrigation facilities and is dependent on rainfall only, then conventionally during the rainy season he sows a dicot, or jowar, in between or totally leave unused. It is advisable to always go for a crop in between so that even if the crop fails in yield it will get some green which can be cultivated back into the soil.

Case2. Now a similar farmer if having a bore well with small yield of water can go in for vegetable with two to three feet gap, or banana with 8ft gap. Now no separate irrigation needs to be done for coconut and quantum of water used is effectively used in the entire interspacing.

This is even more economical if already coconut tree is in the yielding stage, so that root spread comfortably reaches the interspace and absorption of water and nutrient will be better. By doing so it has been found that coconut yield improves significantly. Also if water is adequate for the land he holds, intercropping of vegetable between banana and papaya is possible to generate additional revenue.

Similar crop combination like areca, banana, coco, drumstick, and papaya needs to be planned depending on soil nutrient structure, and water availability, min and max temp etc.

If annual crops like mango, sapota, etc. are planned then intercropping of melia dubia as an intercrop has been found advantageous. By the time mango and sapota come to yielding stage melia dubia would have come to harvesting stage, which yield back major capital expenditure incurred. Even castor in between melia dubia yields one to two crops within couple of years.

Overall, whether existing or new plantation is to be made suitable crop matrix and intercrop will benefit both main crop as well as improves soil structure. Type of crops depends on the area as well as prevailing practices.

Advantages of Intercropping
Provides a source of additional income, takes care of addition income in case of fall in prices of the main crop, improves nutrient fixing and provides source for natural fertilizer. Integrated farming helps in optimizing the use of agri machinery and reducing transporting and marketing costs.

As told by-
Suresh Babu Bellur from Switch Craft India

 

[plantman]

Intercropping

Crop matrix means providing suitable spacing between samplings and doing intercropping in such a way that water and nutrient supplied to the soil is absorbed to a maximum extent.

For e.g.

Case 1. A farmer intends to go for coconut plantation since he has found it suitable to his area of operation. Normally he intends to take care of the main plantation since it is his main object.

Normally if he does not have additional irrigation facilities and is dependent on rainfall only, then conventionally during the rainy season he sows a dicot, or jowar, in between or totally leave unused. It is advisable to always go for a crop in between so that even if the crop fails in yield it will get some green which can be cultivated back into the soil.

Case2. Now a similar farmer if having a bore well with small yield of water can go in for vegetable with two to three feet gap, or banana with 8ft gap. Now no separate irrigation needs to be done for coconut and quantum of water used is effectively used in the entire interspacing.

This is even more economical if already coconut tree is in the yielding stage, so that root spread comfortably reaches the interspace and absorption of water and nutrient will be better. By doing so it has been found that coconut yield improves significantly. Also if water is adequate for the land he holds, intercropping of vegetable between banana and papaya is possible to generate additional revenue.

Similar crop combination like areca, banana, coco, drumstick, and papaya needs to be planned depending on soil nutrient structure, and water availability, min and max temp etc.

If annual crops like mango, sapota, etc. are planned then intercropping of melia dubia as an intercrop has been found advantageous. By the time mango and sapota come to yielding stage melia dubia would have come to harvesting stage, which yield back major capital expenditure incurred. Even castor in between melia dubia yields one to two crops within couple of years.

Overall, whether existing or new plantation is to be made suitable crop matrix and intercrop will benefit both main crop as well as improves soil structure. Type of crops depends on the area as well as prevailing practices.

Advantages of Intercropping
Provides a source of additional income, takes care of addition income in case of fall in prices of the main crop, improves nutrient fixing and provides source for natural fertilizer. Integrated farming helps in optimizing the use of agri machinery and reducing transporting and marketing costs.

As told by-
Suresh Babu Bellur from Switch Craft India

Before deciding on intercropping, one should consider the allelopathic effect of the crops considered.

What is allelopathy ? Check this out : HS944/HS186: Allelopathy: How Plants Suppress Other Plants

 

[editorialteam]

Dear Mr. Rakesh,

Why do you think - intercropping can change farmer’s income’ ?

Regards,
Shweta - Editorial Team

Suppose in Horticultural crop like Mango, citrus and other crops for up to five years, pulses and ground nut, vegetables etc. can be grown as intercrops for getting additional income. In fruit crops like banana, turmeric and ginger can be grown as intercrops.

As told by-
Mr. Gogulamanda Ananadara Rao , Consultant

 

[editorialteam]

Crops farmers can most rely on for intercropping-

For turmeric - chilies, for banana - turmeric and vegetables, pulses, and in early orchard crops pulses like green gram, black gram, cowpea, and oil seeds like groundnut, gingili etc., are the crops farmers rely for intercropping.

Tips for intercropping-

The space available in between the main crop has to be utilized for additional income. In mango orchards sufficient space is available, and in the months of June and July, pulses like green gram or black gram or horse gram can be sown. Within 75 -85 days we can get additional income by taking advantage of early monsoon season.

Shares -
Mr. Gogulamanda Ananadara Rao, Consultant

 

[plantman]

Before taking up any inter-cropping, it is prudent to try out the mix on a small scale to see the compatibility of the two crops. Because, some species have allelopathic effect on the other which may affect the performance and even survival of the other crop. Also, the issue of root competition for the same nutrients and shade should be taken in to consideration before going on large scale with untested crop combinations.

 

[editorialteam]

Mr. Dipak Medhi, Advisor, Lemon Growers Society says -

Intercropping should be made mandatory as income doubles in this.

 

[editorialteam]

Mr. Dipak Medhi, Advisor, Lemon Growers Society says -

Intercropping should be made mandatory as income doubles in this.

 

[editorialteam]

Mr. Harikrishna Murthy Vadiappan, Depot Manager/Joint manager, Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited says-

Inter cropping will definitely change the farmer’s income.

 

[editorialteam]

Mr. Vijayakumar Hallikeri, Deputy Director, Coconut Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India says -

Intercropping practices in coconut garden is a very remunerative provided sufficient irrigation facilities are available. In fact we are encouraging the farmers to adopt intercropping / high density multi cropping methods rather than going for a mono cropping by utilizing the maximum land available in between the coconut palms / rows.

Crops that can be best grown along with coconut trees are : Various crops can be grown along with the coconut under different climatic conditions and suiting soil types. The major intercrops which are grown in coconut are banana, cocoa, papaya, pine apple, lime, guava, pepper, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, etc., including flower crops / vegetable crops.

 

[editorialteam]

Mr. Vijayakumar Hallikeri, Deputy Director, Coconut Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India says -

Intercropping practices in coconut garden is a very remunerative provided sufficient irrigation facilities are available. In fact we are encouraging the farmers to adopt intercropping / high density multi cropping methods rather than going for a mono cropping by utilizing the maximum land available in between the coconut palms / rows.

Crops that can be best grown along with coconut trees are : Various crops can be grown along with the coconut under different climatic conditions and suiting soil types. The major intercrops which are grown in coconut are banana, cocoa, papaya, pine apple, lime, guava, pepper, vanilla, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, etc., including flower crops / vegetable crops.

 

[guargum]

Inter cropping of Guar and Its Benefit

Dear visitors,

I would like to say intercropping as leverage against the natural climatic condition. Normally intercropping play a major role in risk minimization. If the main crop fails due to some particular climatic condition the secondary crop may not fail in that type of the climatic condition.

In some cases it is also seen that the secondary crop provide the nitrogen to the main crop. If we take legume crop as inter crop it will assist the main crop in nitrogen intake , The pulses/ legume crop will fix the atmospheric nitrogen in the available nitrogen for the main crop. Thus there will be an increase in the production of main crop.
Some time the intercropping works as an umbrella or guard for the main crop in adverse condition specially against the wind and frost.

The secondary crop also works as trap crop and reflectent against the insect and pest of the main crop. It can be easily seen in the case of marigold.

 

[guargum]

Guar crop Inter-cropping for nitrogen fixation

There are many crop which are good for Inter cropping. In Mansoon time Guar is most suitable crop for Inter cropping. The basic reason behind intercropping is symbiosis relationship for the other crop.

Guar crop Inter-cropping for nitrogen fixation

Guar crop is a legume crop it has nitrogen fixation bacteria in its root zone. The colonies of rizobium bacteria are found in the root zone of guar crop. The root zone provides the nitrogen to the Guar crop and the Main crop. There is 70 % atmospheric nitrogen. But i t cant be used by the plants directly in the nitrogen form. The plants consume in nitrate of nitrite forum. The Rhizobium Bactria convert the atmospheric nitrogen into the available forum.

It is see that the gaur crop play a major role in increase in production for the primary crop. The guar crop also enrich the nitrogen in nitrogen into soil , which shows its positive effect into the next crop.

The farmer can grow the crop as mixed crop or separate lines after the defined line of the main crop.

The farm residual of the guar crop also increases the organic content in the soil. The farm residual is rich in nitrogen.

 

[guargum]

Guar crop as Green vegetable and daily Income

Guar crop as Inter crop : Farmer can produce the Green vegetable and daily Income



As per the Data available from Medical Council of India the green vegetable intake in low in India. it is increasing day by day. The people are increasing the vegetable intake slowly and slowly. The green beans plays a major roel in the vegetable intake as it si rich in fiber and protein. Teh farmer who grow the regular crop can grow gaur as inter crop.

The guar crop will give the green pod. Farmer can sell thsi crop in teh market on regular basis. He can full fill his daily need by the guar green pods. If a farmer sell 10-15 Kg Guar pods daily he can easily earn 300-400 Rs on daily basi during the cropping period.

Normally the crop matures in 5-6 months. The income come once in a cropping period. If farmer go for the guar crop as inter crop he can add the daily income.

Thus guar is good crop for the inter cropping in in creasing the daily income of the farmer