- India has three cropping seasons:
- Kharif: Monsoon season crops (June-September).
- Rabi: Winter season crops (October-March).
- Zaid: Summer months between Rabi and Kharif (April-June).
- Cropping patterns vary by region based on terrain, topography, slope, temperature, rainfall, soils, and water availability.
- Types of Cropping Patterns:
- Monocropping: Only one crop grown year after year (e.g., Wheat, corn).
- Multiple Cropping: More than one crop on same land in one year.
- Inter Cropping: Two or more crops simultaneously in alternate rows (e.g., Pigeon pea with sorghum).
- Mixed Cropping: Two or more crops simultaneously without definite row pattern (e.g., Wheat and mustard).
- Sequential Cropping: Two or more crops in quick succession (e.g., Rice-wheat).
- Relay Cropping: Succeeding crop sown before preceding crop is harvested (e.g., Potato before Maize harvest).
- Crop Rotation: Changing crop type each season/year (e.g., maize one year, beans next).
- Ratooning: Allowing stubbles of original crop to strike again after harvesting.