Intercropping on Organic Farms
(book excerpts)Intercropping is defined as the growth of more than one crop simultaneously in the same field during a growing season. The crops may be seeded at the same time (mixed intercropping) or they may be seeded at different times (relay intercropping). Strip intercropping is a production system where different crops are grown in wide strips (usually the width of a seeder) in the same field. Row intercropping is the cultivation of two or more crops simultaneously on the same field with a row arrangement. Intercrops can be combinations of two or more species, including both annuals and perennials or a mixture. Intercropping is regarded as an important agricultural practice to improve crop production and environmental quality in the regions with intensive agricultural production.
Click on the following topics for more information on intercropping on organic farms.
Topics Within This Chapter:
- Benefits and Limitations of Intercropping
- Benefits of Intercropping
- Limitations of Intercropping
- Intercropping Technical Criteria
- Crop Choice
- Plant Densities
- Planting and Maturity Dates
- Plant Architecture
- Spatial Arrangements
- Mixed or Multiple Intercropping
- Strip Intercropping
- Relay Intercropping
- Row Intercropping
- References
