Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture?
- Reduced or zero tillage of the land
- Applying gypsum before irrigating the field
- Allowing crop residue to remain in the field
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Practice 1 is correct
- Zero tillage is a minimum tillage practice in which the crop is sown directly into soil not tilled since the harvest of the previous crop. It helps in water conservation by minimizing soil disturbance, which improves water retention, reduces evaporation, and enhances soil structure.
Practice 2 is incorrect
- Applying gypsum before irrigation can improve soil structure and drainage, but it does not directly conserve water. Excessive use may also increase the leaching of nutrients and salts.
Practice 3 is correct
- Crop residues can improve soil structure, increase organic matter content in the soil, reduce evaporation, and help fix CO2 in the soil.
