Prelims 2020 · Agriculture · Question 63
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop. 2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer
1, 2 and 3
1. Correct. Zero tillage allows wheat to be sown directly into the field with crop residues retained as mulch, so burning the previous crop residue is not necessary.
2. Correct. In conservation agriculture, zero/reduced tillage enables direct seeded rice (DSR), where paddy seeds are sown directly in wet/moist soil without raising a nursery and transplanting saplings.
3. Correct. Minimal soil disturbance and residue retention under zero tillage help increase soil organic matter and support carbon sequestration.
Therefore, all three statements are correct.