Source: http://vasat.icrisat.ac.in/?q=node/109

A cropping system refers to growing a combination of crops in space and time.

An ideal cropping system

• should use natural resources efficiently
• provide stable and high returns
• do not damage the environment.  

     Commonly practiced cropping systems are

• Crop rotation practices
• Intercropping systems
• Mixed cropping systems

     Growing the same crop year after year in the same field is called monocropping. In contrast to monocropping, in crop rotation practice crops are grown in a planned sequence from season to season within a year or from year to year.

This planned rotation sequence may be

• within a year – double cropping in two seasons
• for a two- year period – two year crop rotation
• three-year period – three year crop rotation.

    Some of the general purposes of crop rotations are

• improve or maintain soil fertility,
• reduce erosion,
• reduce the build-up of pests,
• spread the workload on family labor, use of bullocks and farm equipment, hired labor etc.
• reduce risk of weather damage,
• reduce reliance on agricultural chemicals,
• increase net profits.

When selecting a rotation, the long term viability of that rotation to reduce weed, insect and disease pressure, as well as its economic viability must be considered.

A well developed plan which can be altered when necessary should always be followed.

Otherwise, the desired crop sequence may be interrupted and the maximum benefits of the rotational effect will not be obtained.

The following are important considerations when designing a crop rotation, regardless of location.

How will the previous crop affect subsequent crop production?

Will the previous crop increase or decrease concerns in the following areas?

• Disease, insect, weed control, and residue management
• Soil moisture and fertility utilization
• Seed bed preparation
• Planting and harvesting schedule
• Gross economic returns

Generally, as a rain fed crop, groundnut is grown year after year in a monocropping system. This practice may lead to the crop failure due to adverse weather conditions during crop growth period. The groundnut in general should be rotated with cereals like maize, wheat, sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra) or minor millets. It was also found that groundnut does well after wheat, maize, sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra) and tobacco.

The crop sequences recommended for different groundnut growing states in India are as follows:

The crop sequences recommended for different groundnut growing states in India are as follows: