Prelims 2017 · Agriculture · Question 21
Which of the following statements can help in water conservation in agriculture? 1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land 2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field 3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer
1, 2 and 3
1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land — Conservation tillage reduces soil disturbance, improves infiltration, and lowers evaporation loss. Verdict: Correct.
2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field — In sodic/alkali soils, gypsum improves soil structure and permeability, helping water infiltrate better and reducing runoff/wastage; this can aid water conservation in agriculture. Verdict: Correct.
3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field — Crop residue acts as mulch, reducing evaporation and improving soil moisture retention. Verdict: Correct.
Therefore, all three statements can help in water conservation in agriculture.