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Main aim is to make the best use of solar radiation at different heights
Best combination will have different heights, varying maturity duration and
different rooting pattern.
E.g.: Coconut + Black Pepper + Cacao + Pineapple
f.
C. Stand Establishment
1. Optimum population proportion of component crops in intercropping
Total population per unit area is usually higher than sole crop
Avoid too much competition by optimum density proportion of components
otherwise may lead to poor growth
Decide based on expected level of yield advantage
Yield of base crop is desired, maintain base crop population as sole crop and
intercrop population at 30-50 per cent of its pure crop
If base crop is not affected, intercrop population be increased even up to 100 percent
to maintain yield advantage
If combined yield advantage is required even if the individual crop performance is
less than its pure crop the proportionate population of component crop is then fixed
so
2. Crop geometry
Widen inter-row spacing and reduce intra-row spacing for base crop
(Sorghum - 45x15 cm 60x10 cm)
Paired row planting
3. Time of sowing
Sow simultaneously if the crops differ widely in their growth pattern
Eg. Sorghum + Red gram, Cotton + Black gram, Groundnut + Red gram
If peak demand periods overlap stagger the sowing of component crops
Eg. Sunflower + groundnut
Cultural requirement for one crop may necessitate sowing the component crops at
different times
Eg. Cotton + onion intercropping
Relay intercropping situations, sowing is so fixed to avoid overlapping
Eg. Rice fallow black gram
For sequential cropping, if allelopathy or immobilization is expected allow sufficient
time interval
4. Method of sowing
Broadcasting can not ensure optimal population and crop geometry
Drilling with suitable seeding equipment is ideal and cheaper