Introduction to Major Field Crops

Types of Intercropping

Mixed Intercropping/Mixed Cropping:Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land with no distinct row arrangement.

Row Intercropping: Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land with distinct row arrangement. It is simply referred as ‘intercropping’.


Fig: Row Intercropping.

Patch Intercropping:Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land in patches.








Strip Intercropping: Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land in strips wide enough to permit independent cultivation.



Relay Intercropping/Relay Cropping: Growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land during the part of life cycle of each. The second crop is planted after the first crop has reached its reproductive stage of growth but before it is ready for harvest.



Fig: Relay Intercropping.

Parallel Intercropping/Parallel Cropping: Growing of two or more crops which have different growth habits and which have a zero competition between each other and both of them express their full yield potential.


Fig: Parallel Intercropping.

Multi Storied Intercropping/Multi Storied Cropping:Growing of two or more crops of different heights on the same field at the same time. It is commonly practiced in orchard and plantation crops.



Fig: Multi Storied Intercropping.

Alley Intercropping/Alley Cropping: Food crops are grown in alleys formed by hedge or shrubs or trees. It is an agro-forestry system.



Fig: Alley Intercropping.

Guard Crops: The main crop is grown in the centre, surrounded by hardy or thorny crops. These crops protect the main crop.

Trap Crops: These crops are grown in the main cropped field in definite rows to trap insect pests.



Fig: Trap Crop.

Filler Cropping:Growing of short duration crops in between the newly established perennial crops for few years to fill the space and to utilize the resources.




Mixed Cropping
Growing of two or more crops together on the same piece of land is called as mixed cropping. In this, the seeds of different crops are mixed together and then sown either in lines or they are board casted. This system is not scientific and it causes problem in performing all agricultural operations and harvesting of crops. This system of cropping is generally practiced in areas where climatic hazards such as flood, drought, frost etc. are frequent and common. The farmers always fear that their crops will fail. The time of sowing of all the crops is same; however they may mature either together or at different times.