Question

Which one is an example of Parallel Cropping?
(a) Potato + Rice
(b) Wheat + Mustard
(c) Cotton + Wheat
(d) Sorghum + Potato

Answer 1

Hint: In parallel cropping, two crops are grown simultaneously. The crops grown have zero competition between each other. They also have different natural habitats.

Complete Answer:
Parallel cropping is an agricultural method by which two crops are grown together, in the same land in parallel rows. Both crops grown do not compete for nutrients and have no effect on each other. They can express their maximum yield potential. They are grown in the same growing season.
This is done mainly due to the following reasons:
-Better utilization of resources - light, nutrients and moisture
-In the case where one crop fails, there is always yield from the other crop to depend on.
-This method helps in restoring soil fertility and helps prevent soil erosion.
The first option is the combination of Potato and Rice. Potato is a Rabi crop, while rice is a kharif crop. Since the crops belong to completely different growing seasons, this option is incorrect.
Again, in the case of Cotton and wheat (Option C) the crops belong to different growing seasons. Cotton is a kharif crop, while wheat is a rabi crop. So this option is incorrect as well.
In the last option Sorghum is a kharif crop, while potato is a Rabi crop.
The remaining option is Option B: Wheat and Mustard. Both of these are Rabi Crops.

So, the correct answer is option b. ‘Wheat + Mustard’.

Note:
There are some disadvantages to parallel cropping as well:
-It is a labor intensive method.
-Though there isn’t competition between the crops, they might be prone to different pests, which might get difficult to control.
-The crops might have different times at which they reach maturity, which might lead to two harvests.