Difference Between Mixed Cropping and Intercropping

A plant is considered to be a crop that is widely gathered for financial gain and is farmed or grown on a big and small scale. Moreover, crops are raised to be traded on the open market. A cropping pattern is the percentage of land that is being cultivated for different crops at various times. Cropping pattern is a dynamic idea that varies throughout time and space. Cropping patterns vary from one area to another. It is influenced by the soils, the quantity and frequency of rain, the amount and slope of the terrain, the topography, the slope, the temperature, and the availability of irrigation water. Cropping systems are of three types:

1. Monocropping: Monocropping is the practice of producing only one type of crop at a time on a specific plot of land.
2. Mixed cropping: Mixed cropping can be defined as the practice of growing two or more crops on the same piece of land at the same time.
3. Intercropping: It refers to the practice of simultaneously cultivating two or more crops nearby on the same plot of land using particular row patterns.

Factors Affecting the Cropping System: 

1. Climate conditions
2. Diseases
3. Pest and parasites
4. Rainfall
5. Infertility of soil
6. Agricultural inputs and farm machinery
7. Agricultural policies

What is Mixed Cropping?

Mixed cropping is also referred to as polyculture. Mixed cropping can be defined as the practice of growing two or more crops on the same piece of land at the same time. Mixed cropping is a very ancient method of preventing crop loss due to unusual weather conditions.  This method minimizes the chance that one of the crops will fail and provides protection against crop failure brought on by unusual weather. In a mixed-cropping situation, one crop may be the main crop while the others might be a subsidiary. The goal of mixed cropping is to obtain products from at least one crop. In the case that one crop fails due to fertilizer deficiency or excessive rainfall, the other crop can resolve the danger. Crops for mixed cropping are selected based on their water and nutrient needs as well as the amount of time needed for growth and ripening. It has been demonstrated that mixed cropping creates a rich, biodiverse ecosystem that supports a diversity of species and habitats for animals as well as beneficial insect species like butterflies and bees. Even in comparison to other cropping patterns, it gives a higher yield. One example of mixed cropping is growing wheat along with gram.

Benefits of Mixed Cropping

1. Less risk of crop failure.
2. Improves soil fertility.
3. Pest attack is less.
4. Crop yield will be high.
5. Good weed control. 
6. Provides good income to the farmers. 

What is Intercropping?

The term “intercropping” refers to the practice of simultaneously cultivating two or more crops nearby on the same plot of land using particular row patterns. Intercropping is preferred over other cropping patterns as it makes better use of the available resources and produces a higher yield than mono-cropping.  The main objective of intercropping is to increase the yield on a particular plot of land by utilizing resources or biological processes that may not be used by a single crop alone. Often, small farmers that rely solely on rainwater for increased output and have no other choices, such as canals and tube wells, use this practice. Intercropping improves soil fertility, minimizes soil erosion, provides nutrients for nearby plants, and controls weeds and other pests. Among the crops produced as intercrops are bajra, soybeans, and maize.

Types of Intercropping:

1. Strip cropping: Strip cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops side by side in broad strips so they may be handled independently. Even terrains can be used for strip cropping in agriculture. It is utilized when there is no other way to stop soil erosion or when a slope is too steep. It is used to either promote the growth of primary species or improve the condition of the soil.

2. Row cropping: Row intercropping is the practice of planting individual crops in different rows.  Row crops help to fix the extra nitrogen as a result of a symbiotic relationship between legumes and bacteria from the Rhizobium species.

3. Alley cropping: Alley cropping is an agroforestry technique that combines trees into farmland systems for agriculture. Growing crops and trees or shrubs in alternate rows is known as alley cropping. To lessen the shade of crops, trees are frequently pruned. Alley cropping can also aid with nutrient cycling and erosion prevention.

4. Relay cropping: Relay cropping is a kind of cropping system where one crop is planted into a standing second crop well before the second crop is harvested. Relay planting reduces risk because you don’t have to rely just on one crop. Moreover, it results in more fair labor allocation, less insect spread, and legume growth that contributes nitrogen to the soil.

Benefits of Intercropping

1. Controls soil erosion.
2. Provides an extra income to farmers.
3. Saves time and space.
4. Pest and disease attack is less.
5. Enhances soil fertility.
6. Better weed control.
7. Maximum usage of soil-based nutrients.

Difference Between Mixed Cropping and Intercropping

Basis of comparison	Mixed cropping	Intercropping
Definition	A technique of cropping in which two or more crops are cultivated together on the same plot of land is referred to as mixed cropping.	When several types of crops are grown together in a specified manner, this method is referred to as intercropping.
Aim	To reduces the risk of crop failure.	To boost the productivity of crops.
Planting pattern	Specific planting method is used.	There is no specific method is used.
Crop life cycle	All crops have same life cycles and maturity times.	Every crop has a different life cycle and different maturity times.
Seed sowing	The seeds are not planted one after the other.	Many rows of seeds are sowed in a certain arrangement.
Seeds	They are mixed before sowing.	They are not mixed before sowing.
Fertilizers and pesticides	Same types of fertilizers and pesticides are used in all crops.	Specific types of fertilizers and pesticides are used for each crop.
Pest control	Difficult as compared to Intercropping.	Easy as compared to mixed cropping.
Harvesting	Difficult as compared to Intercropping.	Easy as compared to mixed cropping.
Threshing	Not possible in mixed cropping.	Possible in intercropping
Competition between crops	Yes	No

Conclusion

A cropping system is the percentage of land that is being cultivated for different crops at various times. Major types of cropping system include monocropping, mixed cropping and intercropping. Mixed cropping can be defined as the practice of growing two or more crops on the same piece of land at the same time. The term “intercropping” refers to the practice of simultaneously cultivating two or more crops nearby on the same plot of land using particular row patterns. There are four types of intercropping: Strip, relay, row and alley intercropping. Both cropping systems improves soil fertility, maximize the profit of farmers and saves time and space.