crosscrop

Crosscrop is a term used in agriculture and plant sciences to describe practices that combine traits from different plant sources. It has two common senses. In breeding, crosscrop denotes crossbreeding or hybridization, the deliberate mating of plants from different varieties, lines, or species to create new cultivars with desirable traits such as higher yield, disease resistance, or drought tolerance. In cropping systems, crosscrop refers to intercropping, the practice of growing two or more crops in proximity, often in alternating rows or within the same field, to improve resource use, reduce pest pressures, and enhance soil health. The two senses are related because breeding programs can supply traits that make intercropping more successful, while diverse cropping patterns can influence selection in breeding.

Breeding methods under crosscrop involve controlled pollination, isolation to prevent unintended crossing, and selection across generations. Advances in genetics, such as marker-assisted selection, are increasingly used to track desirable traits and accelerate the development of superior lines. Intercropping design considerations include crop compatibility, phenology, rooting depth, and resource partitioning (light, water, nutrients). Common benefits cited are higher overall system productivity, improved resilience, and better pest management, though management complexity and the risk of competition can limit adoption.

Terminology varies, and some sources reserve crosscrop for one sense or the other, while others use it more broadly to cover both breeding and intercropping. See also crossbreeding, hybridization, and intercropping.