Crop Production - Cropping Patterns and Cropping Systems (Lecture 2)

A set of Question-and-Answer style flashcards covering cropping patterns, cropping systems, farming practices, growing media, fertilizers, pesticides, and disease management from the lecture notes.

What is cropping pattern?

An arrangement of crops in a particular land area.

Name four common cropping patterns discussed in the notes.

Square pattern, Triangular pattern, Hexagonal pattern, Rectangular pattern.

How are plants arranged in the square cropping pattern?

Plants are at right angles to each other, with every unit of four plants forming a square.

Describe the triangular pattern arrangement.

Plants in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc., alternate rows are planted midway between the 1st, 3rd, 5th rows, creating more open space.

What is a key advantage of the hexagonal pattern over the square pattern?

It accommodates about 15% more trees.

How are trees planted in the rectangular pattern?

In the four corners of rectangles with straight rows running at right angles; interculture in two directions.

What is the objective of designing a cropping pattern?

To use orchard space and resources efficiently, maximize solar radiation interception for fruit quality and yield, minimize nutrient and moisture competition through proper spacing, and ensure compatibility with management practices.

What are the main cropping systems listed in the notes?

Mono-cropping, Mixed cropping, Rotational/relay cropping, Cash cropping, rotational & mono cash cropping.

Define mono-cropping.

Planting a single crop species in an area at a time, managed until harvest, then replanted.

Which crops are commonly grown under mono-cropping on plantations?

Rubber, oil palm, cocoa, and tea (coffee is often included in plantation systems).

Define mixed cropping.

Two or more crop species planted in an area at a time, arranged in alternate rows or orchard style, with similar or different maturation periods.

Define rotational cropping (tanaman giliran).

One crop species is planted in one season and a different species is planted in the next season; normally short-term crops.

What is cash cropping?

Planting short-term crops between rows of a main crop to provide quick income while waiting for the main crop to yield.

In Paddy fields, how is cropping rotated seasonally?

Wet paddy is planted in the rainy season; off-season crops (e.g., long beans, vegetables) are planted when fields are dry; cattle may graze in the dry season.

Give an example sequence of rotation crops as described in the notes.

Maize -> Groundnut -> Vegetables (okra/chilies) -> Tapioca, with a legume included as green manure and varied root depths.

What are the advantages of adopting a crop rotation system?

Reduces pest and disease outbreaks, helps weed control, and enables nutrients to be absorbed at different soil depths through different root systems.

What is mono-cropping for perennial crops (plantations) typical duration?

25–30 years or until economic yields decline, after which trees are felled and replanted with new clones/varieties.

Name examples of crops commonly grown as mono-crops on plantations.

Oil palm, rubber, cocoa, tea.

What is mixed cropping?

Two or more crop species planted in an area at a time, either in alternate rows or orchard style.

What is the concept of rotational cropping systems for short-term crops?

Normally short-term crops are planted using rotation, alternating with other crops to improve soil health.

List two key benefits of crop rotation.

Pest and disease reduction; weed suppression and improved nutrient uptake due to different root depths.

What is Paddy cropping rotation?

In wet paddy, crops are planted in the rainy season; off-season crops (e.g., vegetables) are planted when fields are dry.

What is the purpose of cash cropping within inter-rows of perennial crops?

To provide ready cash during the early years before main crop yields, typically 3–5 months for the annual crops.

What is integrated farming?

An farming approach where crop species, livestock/poultry, and fish are reared together in a coordinated system for sustainability.

What is organic farming?

A form of agriculture relying on non-chemical techniques like crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control.

List four benefits of organic farming mentioned in the notes.

Reduces pesticide exposure, combats soil erosion, discourages algal blooms, and encourages biodiversity.

What is agro-forestry?

Inter-planting industrial crops, food crops, fruit trees, and forest species, sometimes with livestock, in an integrated system.

Give examples of crops and other components used in agro-forestry.

Fruit trees (durian, jackfruit, etc.), landscape plants (palms, ixora), livestock (goats, sheep), freshwater fish (tilapia, grass carps).

What is growing media?

A substance through which roots grow, which can be native soil or artificial media such as peat moss, coco peat, perlite, or sand.

Name common growing media materials.

Coco peat, perlite, peat moss, sand.

What is fertilizer?

Any organic or inorganic material added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrients.

What are the two broad categories of fertilizers?

Organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer.

Define straight fertilizer.

A fertilizer that contributes a single nutrient (e.g., urea, rock phosphate, ammonia, ammonium sulfate, muriate of potash).

Define mixed fertilizer (granules).

A mixture of more than one straight fertilizer supplying multiple nutrients.

Define compound fertilizer (granules).

Granules containing multiple nutrients in each granule, allowing uniform distribution of nutrients; more expensive.

What is top dressing in fertilizer application?

Spreading fertilizer on closely sown standing crops; avoid direct contact with the plant; avoid during heavy rains.

What is basal application in fertilizer use?

Broadcasting fertilizer at sowing or planting and mixing with soil.

Describe plough sole placement for fertilizer.

Placing fertilizer in the bottom of the plough furrow in a continuous band during ploughing; useful in dry soils.

Describe deep placement for fertilizer.

Point placement of briquettes near the root zone, between four plants at 7–10 cm depth within 7 days after transplanting; slow-release nitrogen.

What is foliar application?

Applying fertilizer directly onto leaves.

What is fertigation?

Distributing water-soluble fertilizers through an irrigation system.

What is injection into soil fertilizer?

Introducing liquid or gaseous fertilizer near plant roots.

What is aerial application for fertilizer?

Spraying crops with an aircraft; can involve NAPSAC sprayer for fertilizer and irrigation.

Why do plants suffer nutrient deficiency and which nutrients are commonly deficient?

Deficiency occurs when a plant lacks essential nutrients; common examples are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

What are pesticides?

Substances used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests; contain active ingredients, inert ingredients, and sometimes contaminants.

How are pesticides classified by hazard and color bands?

Band Ia (Very toxic, Black), Band Ib (Toxic, Red), Band II (Harmful, Yellow), Band III (Caution, Blue), Band IV (White/least hazard).

What are the four plant disease management strategies listed?

Exclusion, Eradication, Protection, Resistance.

Name three common plant diseases and their general characteristics.

Blackspot (fungal, black spots on upper leaf surface), Powdery Mildew (fungal, white powder on leaves/stems), Canker (sunken/cracked areas on stems/trunk, fungal or bacterial).