What are various criteria kept in mind while selecting the crop combinatios in mixed farming?

Question

What are various criteria kept in mind while selecting the crop combinatios in mixed farming?

Answer 1

You need to read a book on crop rotation. This is to ensure that the correct balance is maintained in the soil.

You wouldn't grow the same crop in the same field each year. It would take out too many nutrients and leav the soil barren.

My preferred method of cleaning up a field for future use is to import a couple of pigs, let them turn over the soil for a few weeks and then you have meat for the freezer and soil ready to be tilled.

Answer 2

The main criteria for crop selection in mixed farming is competition. You should select crops so that they will not compete for food, light ,water etc. That means they should occupy different canopy  and grand growth stage should not coincide with each other.

Answer 3

In addition to soil fertility issues like rotating legumes and non legumes you also need to consider the effects of various plants on insect and disease problems, erosion control, residue management, and the effect on the total farming operation.  This includes the needs of livestock you may be raising.  Methods of harvest will also have an effect on the rotation and the number of crops you can grow.  Adding deep rooted legumes to the rotation not only increase the nitrogen available by fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, but also increase the levels of other nutrients in the top soil due to their deep rooting characteristics which bring nutrients to the top soil.  Under irrigation, timing of water usage is also a factor.

Answer 4

don't plant any plants that can cross pollinate with some other plant of the same plant group......like watermelon and cucumbers and cantaloupe and mushmellons, vegetable corn(for people) and Field corn(for live stock)or even Popcorn will cross they can't be planted close to each other!

Answer 5

You should rotate crops which require large amounts of fertility, especially Nitrogen, like corn or cotton with legume crops like soybeans or peanuts that require small amounts of additional fertilizer and fix their Nitrogen from the air.  You need to use crop rotations that protect the land from erosion, like winter wheat following corn to protect the soil during winter months.  Then follow the wheat with soybeans.  Always keep in mind maintain the nutrient balance in the soil and and protect the soil from erosion.

Answer 6

corn uses a lot of nitrogen so if you grow corn you need to grow another plant which uses less nitrogen fromthe ground

Answer 7

certin crops give out certin chemicals which others arent suceptablt to. there for thats one criteria.