Intercultural operations refer to the various agronomic practices performed between sowing and harvesting to ensure optimal crop growth and yield. These operations mainly include weeding, hoeing, earthing up, thinning, gap filling, pruning, mulching, irrigation, and plant protection measures. The type and frequency of these operations vary based on the crop type, growth habit, and season. Intercultural operations are vital for maintaining crop health, controlling weeds, improving soil aeration, and enhancing yield. The selection of appropriate practices depends on crop type, growth stage, and climatic conditions. Proper intercultural operations ensure higher productivity and sustainable agricultural practices.

Intercultural operations

Hoeing

Hoeing is a mechanical intercultural operation that involves loosening the soil and cutting weeds using hand or mechanical tools. It helps in aeration, improving soil texture, conserving moisture, and controlling weeds. Hoeing is performed at different growth stages depending on the crop and weed pressure:

Steps Involved in Hoeing

1. Field Inspection: Identify weed infestation and soil crusting levels.
2. Selection of Appropriate Hoeing Tool: Based on crop type and soil condition (hand hoe, animal-drawn, or tractor-mounted hoe).
3. Hoeing Operation:
   • Manual Hoeing: Hand hoeing with khurpi or spade.
   • Mechanical Hoeing: Using power tillers or tractor-mounted hoes.
4. Depth Control: Maintain 3-5 cm depth to avoid damaging crop roots.
5. Even Coverage: Ensure uniform soil loosening across the field.
6. Mulching (if necessary): In dryland crops, hoeing can be followed by mulching to conserve moisture.

Implements Used for Hoeing

Hoeing implements vary based on the scale of farming, crop spacing, and soil type:

1. Manual Implements (for small farms and vegetable crops)

• Hand Hoe (Khurpi) – Used for small-scale hoeing and weeding.
• Spade (Kudal) – Used for deep hoeing in plantation crops.

1. Animal-Drawn Implements (for row crops and medium farms)

• Country Plough – Used for initial soil loosening.
• Blade Hoe – Cuts weeds and aerates soil in row crops.

1. Mechanical Implements (for large-scale farms)

• Wheel Hoe – Lightweight, suitable for inter-row hoeing.
• Rotary Hoe – Used in cereals and pulses for aeration and weed control.
• Power Tiller with Inter-row Attachments – Common in maize, sugarcane, and vegetable crops.
• Tractor-Mounted Intercultural Weeder (Duck Foot Cultivator, Disc Hoe, etc.) – For large-scale farms and widely spaced crops like cotton, sugarcane, and maize.

Thinning and gap filling

Thinning: Thinning is the process of removing excess or weak seedlings from a crop stand to ensure proper spacing, reduce competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight, and promote healthy plant growth. It is primarily used in direct-seeded crops where multiple seeds are sown per hill or at a close distance. Steps involved in thinning involves:

1. Field Inspection– Check the germination rate and plant density.
2. Selection of Plants for Removal– Remove weak, diseased, or overcrowded seedlings.
3. Spacing Adjustment– Maintain the recommended plant-to-plant distance.
4. Thinning Method:
   1. Hand Thinning– Done manually for small-scale crops like vegetables and pulses.
   2. Mechanical Thinning– Used in large-scale cereals (e.g., rice and maize) using specialized thinning tools.
5. Aftercare– Apply irrigation or light soil covering around remaining seedlings to reduce transplant shock.

Gap Filling: Gap filling is the process of replacing missing or non-germinated plants by transplanting or resowing new seeds to maintain an optimum plant population and ensure uniform crop establishment. It is done soon after germination or seedling emergence. Steps involved in gap filling involves:

1. Field Inspection– Identify gaps where seeds have failed to germinate.
2. Seed Selection– Use healthy seeds or seedlings for replanting.
3. Planting Methods:
   1. Direct Resowing– Used in cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.
   2. Transplanting Seedlings– Used in vegetables and fiber crops like cotton.
4. Depth and Spacing– Ensure uniform depth and spacing to maintain plant population.
5. Watering and Mulching– Provide sufficient moisture to aid establishment.
6. Nutrient Application– Use light fertilizer application to promote root establishment.

Timing of Thinning and Gap Filling in Different Crops

Earthing up

Earthing up is the agronomic practice of heaping soil around the base of plants to provide support, encourage root development, prevent lodging, and improve soil aeration. It is particularly useful in crops with tuber formation, weak stems, and deep root systems. Timing of Earthing Up in Different Crops:

Steps Involved in Earthing Up

Step 1: Field Preparation

• Ensure soil is moist but not waterlogged before earthing up.
• Remove weeds and debris from the crop rows.

Step 2: Soil Heaping Around the Base of Plants

• Gather soil from both sides of the row and gently heap it around the plant base.
• Avoid covering the growing point of the plant.

Step 3: Adjusting Soil Height

• Maintain 3-6 inches of soil cover for tuber crops (potato, turmeric).
• In sugarcane, the first earthing is done at 45-60 days and the second at 90-120 days for better anchorage.

Step 4: Fertilizer Application (Optional)

• Apply basal dose of fertilizers before earthing up to improve nutrient availability.
• In some crops like potato and maize, nitrogen fertilizers are top-dressed before earthing up.

Step 5: Irrigation and Mulching

• After earthing up, provide light irrigation to settle the soil.
• In hot and dry areas, apply mulch to conserve soil moisture.

Implements Used for Earthing Up

Mulching

Mulching is the practice of covering the soil surface around plants with natural or synthetic materials to conserve soil moisture, regulate temperature, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. It is widely used in horticultural crops, field crops, and plantation crops to enhance productivity. Timing of mulching in different crops:

Steps Involved in Mulching

Step 1: Land Preparation

• Ensure the soil is well-prepared and free from weeds before applying mulch.
• Irrigate the field before mulching, especially in dryland areas.

Step 2: Selection of Mulching Material

• Choose mulch based on crop type, climate, and availability.
• Organic mulches (straw, leaves, compost) are used for moisture retention and soil health improvement.
• Plastic mulches (black, silver, or biodegradable film) are preferred for weed control and temperature regulation.

Step 3: Application of Mulch

• Spread mulch evenly around the base of the plants.
• For organic mulches, ensure a 2-5 cm thickness to prevent weed growth.
• In plastic mulching, punch holes for seedlings to emerge.

Step 4: Maintenance of Mulch

• Regularly check mulch for pest infestation and degradation.
• In case of organic mulches, replenish the material as it decomposes.
• Adjust mulch before irrigation or fertilizer application to ensure effectiveness.

Types of Mulching Materials