Introduction to Cropping Systems and Patterns

Cropping Pattern: Defined as the yearly sequence and spatial arrangement of crops (or crops and fallow) on a specific area.
Cropping System: Consists of cropping patterns integrated with farm resources, technology, and other farm enterprises. It is location-specific and changes with the environment.
Directorate of Cropping System Research: Located at Modipuram, Meerut, U.P.

Mono cropping:
- Growing a single crop year after year on the same land.
- Cropping intensity is $100\%$ .
- Disadvantages include difficulty in maintaining soil cover, increased pests/diseases/weeds, and reduced soil fertility.
Multiple Cropping: The practice of producing two or more crops on the same plot rather than one during a growing season.

Intercropping: Cultivation of two or more crops simultaneously in definite rows to maximize resource utilization.
Companion Cropping: Sowing a crop with another to gain yield advantages or pest protection.
Parallel Cropping: Growing two crops together in parallel rows that do not compete for nutrients, allowing both to reach maximum yield potential (e.g., Maize + Greengram/Urdbean).
Multi-storeyed Crop: Cultivation of compatible plants of different heights (multi-layer) at the same time, often in orchards to optimize solar energy (e.g., Garlic + Spinach + Bottle gourd + papaya).
Synergistic Cropping: A system where the yield of both crops is higher than their respective pure crops on a per-unit area basis (e.g., Sugarcane and potato).

Mixed Cropping:
- Growing two or more crops simultaneously without definite row arrangement.
- Typically practiced to reduce risk in areas prone to climatic hazards like flood, drought, or frost.
Sequential Cropping: Growing two or more crops in sequence where the succeeding crop is planted after the preceding crop is harvested (e.g., Rice - Wheat).
Relay Cropping:
- Planting a second crop into an existing crop after flowering but before its harvest.
- Characterized by minimum temporal overlap; relay crops must be tolerant to shade and trampling (e.g., Cassava or cotton with corn; Chickpea with upland rice).