4. INTER CROPPING
Intercropping is growing two or more crops
simultaneously on the same piece of land with a definite
row pattern.
Thus, cropping intensity in space dimension is achieved.
Based on the per cent of plant population used for each
crop in intercropping system.
5. Principles of intercropping
• The crops grown in association should have
complementary effects rather competitive
effects.
•The subsidiary crop should be of shorter
duration and of faster growing habits to
utilize the early slow growing period of main
crop and they must be harvested when
main crop starts growing.
6. •Component crops should have similar
agronomic practices.
• Erect growing crops should be intercropped
with cover crops like pulses. These check the
weeds and reduce soil erosion. The losses of
water due to evaporation are also reduced.
•The component crops should have different root
depths. This will minimize competition for
nutrients, water and root respiration.
• A standard plant population of main crop
should be maintained whereas that of subsidiary
crops the plant population could increased or
decreased as per demand of the situation.
7. •The planting method and management
should be simple, less time consuming,
economical and profitable so that it may
have wider adoptability.
•Component crops of similar pests and
disease pathogens and parasite
infestations should not be chosen.
8. Types of intercropping
Complementary: Under this cropping
two crops are selected which have
different growth habits and have a zero
competition between each other and
both of them express their full yield
potential. E.g. sorghum + cowpea.
9. Advantage of intercropping
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.
10. 6.Better control of weeds, pests and diseases
7.One crop provides physical support to the
other crop
8. One crop provides shelter to the other crop
9.Erosion control through providing continuous
leaf cover over the ground surface, and it is the
small farmers of limited means who is most
likely to benefit.
11. There are some disadvantages of
intercropping system
a)Yield decrease because of adverse
competition effect.
b)Allelopathic effect.
c)Creates obstruction in the free use of
machines for intercultural operations.
12.
13. Economic analysis
EVENT Sole crop(sorghum) Intercropping(sorghum+cowpea)
Field preparation Rs.2400 Rs.2400
Seed 12kgx50 = rs 600 20kgx100= rs 2000 + 600
Sowing cost 1 labour = rs. 300 2 labour = rs 600
Nutrient management Urea – 175x 8 =1400
DAP – 110 X 25 = 2750
MOP – 80 X 18=1440
TOTAL = RS 5590
Urea – 45x8 = 360
DAP – 110x25=2750
MOP – 80X18=1440
TOTAL =4550+5590
SUBTOTAL=RS 10140
labour for fertilizer mixing 2 LABOUR= 600 4labour=rs 1200
irrigation 1 = rs 800 1= rs 800
intercultural operation 10x300= rs 3000 Rs 3000
Harvesting 35x300=10500 50x300= rs 15000
Total cost Rs 23790 Rs. 35440
14. Production (sole crop)
• sorghum grain yield – 35 quintel/ha.
• Straw yield – 70quintel/ha.
• income from grain – 35q x 1625 = 56875₹ ₹
• Income from straw = 70q x 0.5/kg = 3500₹ ₹
• Total income = 60375₹
• Net income = 60375- 23790 = 36585₹ ₹ ₹
15. Production (intercrop)
• Sorghum grain yield – 32q x 1625 = 52000₹
• Straw yield – 62q x 0.5 = 3100₹
• Cow pea grain yield = 15q x 4000 = 60000₹
• Straw yield(cow pea) = 50q x 0.5 = 2500₹
• Total income - 117600₹
• Net income – 117600-35440 = 82160₹
16. conclusion
• Income from sole crop (Sorghum) is Rs.36585
• Income from intercrop (Sorghum+cowpea) is Rs. 82160
So we can say that intercrop boost up the farmer income
