UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 34
Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation?
- Reduction in weed
- Reduction in soil salinity
- Reduction in soil erosion
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Drip irrigation applies water close to roots, reducing wet soil surface, suppressing weeds and limiting runoff erosion. It does not automatically lower soil salinity and may concentrate salts outside the wetting zone.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Correct - Keeping spaces between crop rows comparatively dry limits weed germination.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - Drip systems can shift or concentrate salts; salinity control depends on water quality and leaching.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - Low-volume delivery minimises surface runoff and associated soil erosion.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2; omits correct statement/item 3.
B: Incorrect - omits correct statement/item 1.
C: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.
D: Incorrect - omits correct statement/items 1, 3.
Review Note: Whether salinity is reduced depends on irrigation management and leaching; do not teach it as an automatic advantage.