Concept of Cropping Systems PDF

Concept of Crop Density  Density in plant ecology is defined as the number of individuals of a given species that occurs within a given sample unit or study area.  Number of plants per unit area in the cropped field is the plant population or plant density.  Optimum plant population It is t...

Concept of Crop Density  Density in plant ecology is defined as the number of individuals of a given species that occurs within a given sample unit or study area.  Number of plants per unit area in the cropped field is the plant population or plant density.  Optimum plant population It is the number of plants required to produce maximum output or biomass per unit area. Any increase beyond this stage results in either no increase or reduction in biomass. Planting pattern: It influences crop yield through its effect on light interception, rooting pattern and moisture extraction pattern Plant geometry refers to the shape of individual plant Crop geometry refers to the shape of space available for individual plants Square planting A. Plant to plant and row to row spacing is equal B. More efficient in utilization of growth resources (light, water and nutrient) Rectangular planting A. Wider inter-row spacing with closer intra- row spacing B. Very common for most of the field crops C. It facilitates intercultural operations Skip row planting  Certain rows are skipped to facilitate aeration  Very common cultural practice to prevent the attack of Brown Plant Hopper in rice Paired-row planting  One row is skipped and population is adjusted by decreasing intra-row spaces INTERCULTURAL OPERATIONS Gap filling:  Gap exists due to poor quality seeds, soil crustations, water logging and improper depth of placement  It is done to maintain optimum plant population  Not advantageous for short duration crops Thinning:  This is done to avoid over-crowding of plants  Helps to maintain optimum plant population  Expensive and time consuming Weeding:  Removal of weeds at initial stages of crop growth  Done with small agricultural implements  Thinning and weeding are done simultaneously Nipping: Removal of apical buds to promote lateral branching It is done at 5-6 weeks of crop age This is done in Chick pea Tying, wrapping and propping:  These are done in sugarcane Dry leaves are removed and canes are wrapped together by taking all canes in a single bundle- wrapping Bundles are tied together by taking canes in adjacent rows crosswise-Tying Putting bamboo sticks for further support-Propping Concept of yields and yield components  The harvested produce obtained from a crop grown in an area of land is called YIELD  It is expressed in tonnes/ha, kg/ha or in quintals/ha The components which finally make up or control the yield of a crop is termed as YIELD COMPONENTS In Rice  No. of matured panicles/unit area  Percent filled spikelets/panicle  1000-grain weight(Test weight) In Mustard No of plants/unit area No of siliqua/plant No of seeds/siliqua 1000-seed weight(Test weight) Yields are of two types: Biological yield: Total dry matter produced by the crop Economic Yield: Economically useful part of the total dry matter Harvest Index (%)= (Economic yield/Biological yield) X 100 Example, In rice, grain : straw: 1:1, then HI= (1/1+1) x 100 =50% Again when grain : straw= 1:2,. Then HI= (1/1+2) x 100=33.3%  Concept of cropping patterns and systems What is Crop Sequence ? What is Crop Rotation ? What is Cropping Pattern ? What is Cropping System ?  Types of Cropping Mono Cropping (single crop in a piece of land in a calendar year) Multiple Cropping in Series Multiple Cropping Parallel Multiple Cropping N.B: Never get confused with the term ”Maximum cropping” What is Maximum Cropping? It is the attainment of highest possible production per unit area per unit time without regard to cost of cultivation or net return Concept of inter-cropping vs mixed cropping and relay cropping Intercropping: Two or more crops grown simultaneously in a piece of land with a definite row arrangement Mixed cropping: Two or more crops grown simultaneously in a piece of land without definite row arrangement The crops are not necessarily sown at the same time; their harvesting time may not be the same; but they are simultaneous for a significant part of growing period. In relay cropping, either there is a brief overlapping or no overlapping. This is like a relay race where one crop changes the button to other crops  Most efficient Cropping Systems in India Mono Cropping : Rice / maize/ soybean/cotton/sorghum/pearl millet Sequential cropping:  Rice-wheat  Maize-wheat  Sorghum-wheat  Soybean-groundnut  Sugarcane-pulses  Rice-potato/mustard/wheat-Vegetables/jute(In West Bengal)  Rice-maize(in North Bengal) Intercropping:  Wheat+Chick pea  Maize+ greengram  Wheat+rapeseed-mustard Mixed cropping:  Wheat+barley The major factors affecting a Cropping System Climate: The local weather, such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and sunshine hours, can affect the suitability of a crop or cropping system. For example, rice is often grown during good monsoons, while millets are grown during weak monsoons. Soil: The local soil type, pH, and fertility can affect the suitability of a crop or cropping system. Different crops require different levels of oxygen in the soil air. For example, rice can tolerate waterlogged conditions, while wheat, maize, potato, tobacco, cotton, legumes,etc require well aerated soil Water: The availability of water can affect the cropping system. Contd….. The major factors affecting Cropping System Market: The market demand and availability of market infrastructure can affect the cropping system. Labour: The availability of labour and mechanization potential can affect the cropping system. Technology: The availability and suitability of technology can affect the cropping system. Economic conditions: The economic conditions of farmers, including land holding, can affect the cropping system. Policies: The policies and schemes can affect the cropping system. Farmer experience: The past and present experiences of farmers can affect the cropping system. Expected profit and risk: The expected profit and risk can affect the cropping system.