UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2017

Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture? 1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land 2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field 3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 3 only

Explanation

Zero/reduced tillage (1) and retaining crop residue as mulch (3) both help conserve soil moisture and reduce water loss. Applying gypsum is used to reclaim sodic/saline soils and does not directly aid water conservation, so statement 2 is not correct in this context.

Topics: geography, sustainable agricultural practices, water conservation in agriculture, zero tillage/gypsum/crop residue