Question 81 from UPSC CSE 2020 - ENVIRONME NT

Question

What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop.
2. Without the need for a 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:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: Focus on understanding each statement's direct link to zero tillage practices:
- For Statement 1, identify how zero tillage facilitates wheat sowing without residue burning.
- For Statement 2, confirm the role of zero tillage in direct seeding of paddy.
- For Statement 3, verify that zero tillage aids carbon sequestration by preserving soil organic carbon.
- Conclude by recognizing that all statements are supported by practical and scientific evidence.

Key Info: Zero tillage (no-till farming) is a conservation agriculture technique where crops are sown directly into unploughed soil, often amidst residues from a previous crop.

- **Wheat after Rice Residue** -- This practice enables direct sowing of wheat into paddy fields without burning rice straw, significantly reducing both labor and environmental pollution. Equipment like the Happy Seeder can plant seeds amidst standing residue.
- **Direct Seeding of Paddy** -- Zero tillage facilitates Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), where paddy seeds are sown directly into moist, untilled soil. This method bypasses the need for seedling nurseries and manual transplantation, leading to reduced water and labor requirements.
- **Carbon Sequestration** -- Zero tillage actively supports carbon sequestration. Undisturbed soils accumulate organic matter and protect soil carbon, thereby aiding in climate change mitigation and improving soil fertility and health over time.

Additional benefits of zero tillage include:
- Reduced soil erosion
- Improved soil structure
- Moisture conservation
- Lower input costs

This sustainable agriculture practice is particularly popular in India's Indo-Gangetic Plains for rice-wheat cropping systems.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 3 only