Which one of the following terms describes the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land?

Mixed cropping is defined as the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. The primary objective of this system is to provide insurance against total crop failure due to adverse weather conditions or pests [1]. Unlike intercropping, which involves growing crops in a definite row pattern or specific arrangement, mixed cropping typically involves sowing different crops together with no distinct row arrangement [2]. Common examples in India include mixing wheat with gram or maize with pulses to ensure returns and reduce soil erosion [1]. While intercropping is a more organized form of simultaneous cultivation aimed at boosting productivity per unit area, the general term for growing multiple crops together without specific spatial patterns is mixed cropping [1]. Crop rotation involves sequential planting over time, and mixed farming integrates crops with livestock.

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Difference between inter cropping and mixed cropping > p. 359
2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > vii) Mixed cropping > p. 20