Abstract
Intercropping is regarded as a practical application of basic ecological principles such as diversity, competition and facilitation. Intercropping to reduce risk was a common practice in the United States and Europe before the 1940s, but the practice faded from significance as advances in mechanisation and the availability of relatively cheap inorganic fertilisers and pesticides made monocropping more attractive. However, it was observed that intercropping in general, and legume–cereal intercropping in particular offer many potential benefits as compared with monocropping including higher yields, yield stability, increasing proportion of plant N derived from N2 fixation, capturing a greater share of available resources, enhancing biodiversity and reducing weed and insect pressure. Concept of intercropping and its categories, behaviour of intercropped species and some precautions of this technique have been deeply discussed.
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