Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

How many crops are typically involved in a double cropping system over a year?

1. Six

2. One

3. Two

4. Three

The correct answer is: Two

In a double cropping system, farmers grow two different crops on the same piece of land within a single growing season, typically within one year. This practice allows for more efficient use of resources, such as land, labor, and nutrients, and can significantly increase overall yield compared to single cropping systems. The concept of double cropping is particularly advantageous in regions with suitable climate conditions, where the growing season is long enough to accommodate the maturity of two crops. Common pairings include a grain crop followed by a legume or a vegetable crop, maximizing the agricultural output from the same area and optimizing the benefits of crop rotation. This distinction is vital in understanding agricultural practices and maximizing land use, which is often a critical focus in crop advising. Options stating one, three, or six crops do not accurately reflect the specific definition of double cropping, which is strictly limited to two crops within a single year.