Cropping Systems: What Is A Cropping System?

Cropping Systems
What is a cropping system?
A cropping system is a way of growing a crop or range of crops. The major cropping
systems used by farmers include:
 Monoculture
 Multiple cropping or mixed cropping
 Intercropping
 Crop rotation
 Contour cropping
 strip cropping
 Mixed farming
 Cover cropping
Sometimes a combination of cropping systems may be used, depending on the

nature of the land, the size of the farm and the type of crop production. For
example, a mixed farm on hilly terrain might use contour cropping, mixed cropping
and cover cropping.
1. Monoculture- is the continuous cultivation and production of only one crop on

a plot of land for many years. A good example of
monoculture is the cultivation of sugar cane. This
type of system can lead to a build-up and rapid
spread of pests and diseases which attack the crop,
e.g. smut disease in sugar cane.
Monoculture is a risky business for the farmer
because he has invested a lot of effort into growing
one crop. Failure of the crop can result in severe
economic loss. However, farmers have become
specialized in the cultivation of the specific crop,
such as rice, pineapple and pawpaw. The farmer
needs to invest the machinery required for the
cultivation, harvesting and preparation for the Smut on sugarcane plant
market of the chosen crop. For example, monoculture of rice demands the
investment of a tractor or a combine.
2. Multiple cropping- also known as mixed cropping refers to the cultivation of

two or more crops simultaneously on the same plot of land. This type of
cropping system provides income on a regular and continuous basis for the
farmer. The crops are chosen carefully
so that:
 Some crops have a shorter growing
period and others a longer growing
period
 Crops grow at different heights
 The water and nutrient requirements of
the crops are not the same Mixed cropping
The benefits of this type of cropping include:
 An improvement in, or maintenance of soil fertility, irrigation and

drainage
 Easier management of pest control and a reduction in pest infestations
 Easier management of fertilizer application and weed control
 Control of soil erosion as different crops provide different forms of
vegetable cover in the soil
 A smaller risk of total crop failure
 A variety of crops produced
 A reduction in pest infestations
Crops suitable for this type of cropping are soybean and pigeon pea, root
crops and cereals.
3. Intercropping- is the cultivation of a short term crop, such as lettuce,

between the plants of a medium-term crop, such as sweet pepper. It enables
the farmer to earn some quick
income from the sale of the
lettuce crop while the main crop
of sweet peppers develops. It
requires careful selection in
terms of compatibility so that
one crop is not smothered by the rapid growth of the other. This type of
cropping systems helps the famer to use the space between plants of the
main crop more efficiently. Soil fertility is maintained and soil nutrition may
even increase, particularly if one crop is a legume crop such as beans. The
vegetable cover is provided by two crops helps to control soil erosion on
sloping ground.
4. Crop rotation- is the cultivation of selected crops Crop Rotation
in succession (one after the other) on

the same plot of land. For example, a
sequence of tomato (fruit), bean (a
legume), lettuce (leafy) and carrot
(root) helps to maintain soil fertility
because legume crops add nitrogen to
the soil.
5. Strip cropping and contour

cropping- both of these cropping systems can be used for the cultivation of
crops on sloping land. Strip cropping refers to planting different crops in
strips of varying width on flat, undulating or sloping land. It is normally used
as a soil conservation method.
Contour cropping is another method of conserving soil on sloping land. The
land is ploughed along the contours and then crops are planted. In this way,
soil erosion through heavy rainfall is prevented.
Strip cropping Contour cropping
6. Mixed farming- may be small, medium or large and produce both crops and
livestock. A variety of cropping systems may be used depending on the
nature of the land and the size of the farm. Organic farms are mixed farms.
7. Cover cropping- is used to improve soil fertility and to prevent soil erosion.
It involves planting a crop that grows rapidly and provides cover for bare
soil. The cover crop is usually planted after the main crop has been
harvested and can be ploughed into the soil before the land is re-planted.
The cover crop, often referred to as ‘green manure’, provides a cover of
vegetation for the soil and adds organic matter when ploughed in.
Cultural practices associated with crop production

Many activities are necessary to ensure the optimum growth of a crop so that
its production is profitable. These activities improve or maintain soil fertility,
so that the growth of the crop is maximized. Many of the techniques used are
as follows:
Cultural Procedure Benefits

practices
Moulding Soil is scraped up and heaped -covers the roots of plants
around the base of a plant to -aerates the soil
form a small mound using a -gives support and keeps the plant
hoe or trowel upright
-enables drainage of excess water
from the roots.
Mulching Materials such as dry grass, -conserves soil water
leaf mould and plastic -adds organic matter and humus if
sheeting are placed on the grass or leaf mould used
soil surface around the base -improves soil fertility
of the plant -controls weeds growth.
Staking A stake is placed beside a -supports plants with weak stems,
plant; normally round wooden e.g. tomato
stakes, 2m long, with 30 cm -enables the plant to grow upright
width buried in the ground -keeps the fruit high above the
are used ground away from the soil
contamination
-makes pruning, weed control,
tillage and harvesting more
convenient.
Pruning Dry, diseased or excessive -improves the shape of the plant
twigs, leaves and branches of -encourages growth and
a plant are removed using a development of fewer, but larger
pair of secateurs or a small fruits
pruning saw -enables air to circulate more
freely in the crop o discouraging
fungal diseases
-prevents spread of diseases to
other plants
Irrigating Applying water to the soil -enables good growth and
for the benefit of crop development
plants; can be carried out in -prevents crop loss through wilting
a variety of ways and death
-helps to regulate supply of soil
water for crops.
Fertilizing The application of fertilizers -promotes growth, development and
to crop plants production of the crop
-produces healthy plants
Improves and maintains soil
fertility
Questions:
1. List four major cropping systems practiced locally and regionally

2. State one advantage and one disadvantage of monoculture
3. Explain the differences between multiple cropping and intercropping
4. Explain what is meant by contour cropping and give one reason why it is
practiced on sloping land
5. Explain why cover cropping is referred to as green
manure
6. Give four reasons for staking plants
7. What are the benefits of mulching

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Cropping Systems

What is a cropping system?

Sometimes a combination of cropping systems may be used, depending on the

1. Monoculture- is the continuous cultivation and production of only one crop on

2. Multiple cropping- also known as mixed cropping refers to the cultivation of

 An improvement in, or maintenance of soil fertility, irrigation and

3. Intercropping- is the cultivation of a short term crop, such as lettuce,

4. Crop rotation- is the cultivation of selected crops Crop Rotation

in succession (one after the other) on

5. Strip cropping and contour

Strip cropping Contour cropping

Cultural practices associated with crop production

Cultural Procedure Benefits

1. List four major cropping systems practiced locally and regionally

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