Q- Write significance of Intercropping.
Answer- Intercropping is the growing of two or more crops simultaneously in the same field or piece of land in definite row pattern. In this method cropping a few rows of one crop grown alternatively with a few rows of a second crop. For example: soya bean + maize, soya bean + bajra (finger millet) or soya bean + lobia (cow pea).
The row pattern in this cropping is 1 : 1, 1 : 2 or 1 : 3.
There are various advantages of intercropping. Some of them are as follows:
1. Intercropping ensures maximum utilization of nutrients.
2. Both crops can be give better returns.
3. It also checks spreading of pests and diseases to all plants.