Question

Which of the following is grown with wheat as a mixed crop?
A. Mustard and chickpea
B. Sunflower and linseed
C. Okra and green peas
D. Sunflower and raagi
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A only
• B. B only
• C. C only
• D. D only

Hint:

Wheat, mustard, and chickpea are all major Rabi (winter) crops in India, making them highly compatible for mixed cropping systems.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mixed cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land.
This system reduces the risk of crop failure due to weather fluctuations or pests, and improves resource utilization.
For mixed cropping to be successful, the chosen crops must share similar growth seasons (rabi or kharif) and have compatible root systems and nutrient requirements.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Wheat is a classic Rabi (winter) crop sown in October-November and harvested in March-April.
Mustard (Brassica juncea) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) are also Rabi crops that share identical climatic and seasonal requirements with wheat.
In traditional Indian farming systems, wheat is commonly grown in a mixed cropping pattern with mustard or chickpea (e.g., in a 9:1 row ratio).
This combination is highly beneficial:
- Chickpea is a legume that fixes atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility for the wheat crop.
- Mustard serves as a biological physical barrier and diversifies the farmer's yield with oilseeds.
Other combinations listed are incompatible because they include crops with different growth seasons or requirements (such as okra and ragi, which are warm-season crops).
Therefore, only the mustard and chickpea combination is grown with wheat as a mixed crop.

Step 3: Final Answer
The crops grown with wheat in mixed cropping systems are mustard and chickpea (A only).