UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 76
Consider the following agricultural practices:
- Contour bunding
- Relay cropping
- Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: Conservation tillage, especially zero tillage, reduces soil disturbance and slows the loss of soil organic carbon.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Incorrect - Contour bunding mainly checks erosion and runoff; it is not treated here as a direct soil-carbon sequestration method.
2: Incorrect - Relay cropping overlaps sowing/harvesting; it does not inherently ensure increased soil-carbon storage.
3: Correct - Zero tillage preserves residues and reduces organic-carbon oxidation from soil disturbance.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 1, 2; omits correct item 3.
B: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 1, 2.
D: Incorrect - omits correct item 3.
Review Note: Contour bunding and diversified cropping can indirectly improve carbon retention; supplied key isolates zero tillage.