Why are crops with different nutrient requirements chosen for inter-cropping?

The correct option is: To ensure maximum utilisation of nutrients supplied to the field.

Explanation:

Inter-cropping is an agricultural practice that involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field in a definite pattern (for example, in alternate rows).

When selecting crops for inter-cropping, one of the most critical factors is choosing crops that have different nutrient requirements. If two crops with the same nutrient needs are grown together, they will compete intensely with each other for the same resources from the soil, leading to nutrient depletion and poor yields for both crops.

By selecting crops with different nutrient requirements:
1. One crop might absorb nutrients from the upper layers of the soil (shallow-rooted), while the other absorbs nutrients from the deeper layers (deep-rooted).
2. One crop might require more of a specific nutrient (like nitrogen), while the other requires more of another (like phosphorus or potassium).

Consequently, this differentiation minimizes competition and ensures that the nutrients supplied to the field are utilized to the maximum extent possible, enhancing overall crop productivity.