Relay cropping is essentially a special version of double cropping, where the second crop is planted into the first crop before harvest, rather than waiting until after harvest as in true double-cropping. In this way, both crops share a portion of the growing season, increasing solar radiation and heat available to each.
Relay cropping may solve a number of conflicts such as inefficient use of available Resources, controversies in sowing time, Fertilizer application and Soil degradation.