NDA (I & II) 2020 General Ability Test · Question 99 of 148

Correct — B, Mixed cropping. Mixed cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops together on the same piece of land at the same time, with no fixed row pattern - for example sowing wheat and gram mixed in one field. Because the question describes exactly this (two or more crops grown simultaneously on the same land), mixed cropping is the term.

• (a)Crop rotation — Crop rotation grows different crops one after another in sequence on the same field across seasons - not simultaneously - to preserve soil fertility.
• (c)Intercropping — Intercropping also grows two crops together but in a definite row pattern or ratio; the plain 'simultaneously on the same land' description, with no set pattern, matches mixed cropping.
• (d)Mixed farming — Mixed farming combines crop cultivation with the rearing of livestock on the same farm - it is crops plus animals, not two crops grown together.

These are different cropping practices. Mixed cropping grows two or more crops together on the same land with no set pattern; intercropping grows them together in a definite row arrangement; crop rotation grows crops in sequence; and mixed farming combines crops with livestock.

The phrase 'two or more crops simultaneously on the same land', with no mention of rows, points to mixed cropping. Watch the two tempting decoys - intercropping (defined rows) and mixed farming (crops plus animals).

• Mixed cropping is growing two or more crops together on the same land at the same time, without a definite row arrangement.
• Intercropping grows two crops together but in a fixed row pattern or ratio.
• Crop rotation grows crops in sequence, one after another, on the same field to maintain soil fertility.
• Mixed farming combines crop growing with animal rearing on the same farm.

• Confusing mixed cropping (no pattern) with intercropping (a defined row pattern).
• Confusing mixed cropping (two crops) with mixed farming (crops plus livestock).
• Mixing up simultaneous growing (mixed cropping) with sequential growing (crop rotation).

NDA and UPSC describe a cropping practice and ask for the term - key on 'simultaneous, same land, no row pattern' for mixed cropping.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Growing two crops together in a definite row ratio (for example, rows of soybean between rows of maize) is called

  • (a)mixed cropping
  • (b)intercropping
  • (c)crop rotation
  • (d)mixed farming

  Answer(b) intercropping - two crops grown together in a fixed row arrangement.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Growing different crops one after another on the same field to maintain soil fertility is called

  • (a)mixed cropping
  • (b)intercropping
  • (c)crop rotation
  • (d)mono-cropping

  Answer(c) crop rotation - crops grown in sequence across seasons.