Prelims 2018 · Agriculture · Question 59
With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?
- Avoiding the monoculture practices
- Adopting minimum tillage
- Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
- Using crop residues to cover soil surface
- Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer
2, 4 and 5
1. Avoiding the monoculture practices — Conservation Agriculture promotes diversified cropping, but its core principles are minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotations. As stated here, this is not taken as a standard defining component. Verdict: Not included.
2. Adopting minimum tillage — This is a core pillar of Conservation Agriculture: minimum mechanical soil disturbance. Verdict: Correct.
3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops — Conservation Agriculture does not require avoiding plantation crops; this is unrelated to its core principles. Verdict: Incorrect.
4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface — Permanent organic soil cover through crop residues/mulch is a key principle of Conservation Agriculture. Verdict: Correct.
5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations — Crop rotation/diversified sequencing is the third major pillar of Conservation Agriculture. Verdict: Correct.
Hence, the correct set is 2, 4 and 5.