Civil Services Prep

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?<br/>1. Avoiding the monoculture practices<br/>2. Adopting minimum tillage<br/>3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops<br/>4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface<br/>5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations<br/><br/>Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1, 3 and 4
  2. 2, 3, 4 and 5
  3. 2, 4 and 5
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 5

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.

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