Previous Year Question
A cropping system where crops are grown in the inter spaces between rows of planted trees is called—
Relay cropping
Mixed cropping
Inter-cropping
Alley cropping
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Alley Cropping is a type of Agroforestry system in which trees or shrubs are planted in rows and agricultural crops are cultivated in the open spaces or alleys formed between these rows.
In this system, the trees or shrubs may be regularly pruned/coppiced so that adequate light and space remain available for agricultural crops. The pruned leaves and branches can also be used as mulch, animal fodder or to increase organic matter in the soil.
It is more specific than Inter-cropping, because ordinary inter-cropping involves growing two or more agricultural crops together in a definite arrangement, whereas in Alley Cropping the crop rows are specifically located between rows of trees or shrubs.