polyculture

[ pol-ee-kuhl-cher ]

noun

1. the raising at the same time and place of more than one species of plant or animal.
2. a place where this is done.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyculture¹

First recorded in 1910–15; poly- + culture

Example Sentences

One is a giant monoculture Iowa farm, and the other is the milpa, this polyculture system that was the way corn was grown during its rise in Mesoamerica.

From Los Angeles Times

With polyculture, you’re using using a three-dimensional space to create more food.

From Los Angeles Times

"Monoculture -- planting vast areas with a single crop -- is driven by technological reasons rather than biological ones. Practical aspects of planting and harvesting have motivated this approach. Traditional Native American agriculture and practices in the tropics involve polycultures with multiple species. In China, there's a movement towards mechanized polyculture production, challenging the predominant monoculture model in the United States. It's essential to view monoculture as a cost-benefit model with increased inputs and explore alternative methods like crop rotation to manage pathogens over time."

From Science Daily

As practiced in Puerto Rico, agroecology often involves polyculture, or growing different crops together; composting; limiting or eschewing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; and an emphasis on improving rural life.

From New York Times

The restaurant also pours organic and naturally fermented wines from producers practicing biodynamics, regenerative agriculture, polyculture, and no-till farming.

From Seattle Times