With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture ? 1. Avoiding the monoculture practices 2. Adopting minimum tillage 3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops 4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface 5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Option (C) Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a farming system that promotes sustainable agricultural productivity through the preservation of natural resources and minimal environmental impact. It is primarily based on three core principles: - Minimum soil disturbance: This involves practices like no-tillage or reduced tillage to maintain soil structure and prevent erosion. - Permanent organic soil cover: Achieved by leaving crop residues on the field or through mulching, which helps reduce evaporation, suppress weed growth, and enrich soil organic matter. - Diversification of crop species: This includes practices such as crop rotations and intercropping, which help in breaking pest cycles, improving soil fertility, and enhancing biodiversity. Based on these principles: - Statement 2: "Adopting minimum tillage" directly aligns with the principle of minimum soil disturbance. - Statement 4: "Using crop residues to cover soil surface" directly aligns with the principle of permanent organic soil cover. - Statement 5: "Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations" directly aligns with the principle of diversification of crop species. Therefore, statements 2, 4, and 5 are integral components of Conservation Agriculture. Incorrect Options - Statement 1: "Avoiding the monoculture practices" is a desirable practice for sustainable agriculture and is a consequence of adopting crop rotations (Statement 5). However, it is not typically enumerated as a distinct core principle of Conservation Agriculture separate from crop diversification. - Statement 3: "Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops" is not a principle of Conservation Agriculture. CA focuses on the methods of cultivation rather than the specific type of crop being grown. CA principles can be applied to various crop types, including plantation crops. Option (a) is incorrect as it includes Statement 1 and Statement 3. Option (b) is incorrect as it includes Statement 3. Option (d) is incorrect as it includes Statement 1 and Statement 3.

IAS 2018 — Environment & Ecology Environment & Ecology

2018mcqmedium

With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture ?

Avoiding the monoculture practices
Adopting minimum tillage
Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
Using crop residues to cover soil surface
Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Official previous-year question

Verified 2 Aug 2026.

Options

A1, 3 and 4
B2, 3, 4 and 5
C2, 4 and 5
D1, 2, 3 and 5

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option (C)

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a farming system that promotes sustainable agricultural productivity through the preservation of natural resources and minimal environmental impact. It is primarily based on three core principles:

Minimum soil disturbance: This involves practices like no-tillage or reduced tillage to maintain soil structure and prevent erosion.
Permanent organic soil cover: Achieved by leaving crop residues on the field or through mulching, which helps reduce evaporation, suppress weed growth, and enrich soil organic matter.
Diversification of crop species: This includes practices such as crop rotations and intercropping, which help in breaking pest cycles, improving soil fertility, and enhancing biodiversity.

Based on these principles:

Statement 2: "Adopting minimum tillage" directly aligns with the principle of minimum soil disturbance.
Statement 4: "Using crop residues to cover soil surface" directly aligns with the principle of permanent organic soil cover.
Statement 5: "Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations" directly aligns with the principle of diversification of crop species.

Therefore, statements 2, 4, and 5 are integral components of Conservation Agriculture.

Incorrect Options

Statement 1: "Avoiding the monoculture practices" is a desirable practice for sustainable agriculture and is a consequence of adopting crop rotations (Statement 5). However, it is not typically enumerated as a distinct core principle of Conservation Agriculture separate from crop diversification.
Statement 3: "Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops" is not a principle of Conservation Agriculture. CA focuses on the methods of cultivation rather than the specific type of crop being grown. CA principles can be applied to various crop types, including plantation crops.

Option (a) is incorrect as it includes Statement 1 and Statement 3. Option (b) is incorrect as it includes Statement 3. Option (d) is incorrect as it includes Statement 1 and Statement 3.

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Correct Option (C)

Minimum soil disturbance: This involves practices like no-tillage or reduced tillage to maintain soil structure and prevent erosion.
Permanent organic soil cover: Achieved by leaving crop residues on the field or through mulching, which helps reduce evaporation, suppress weed growth, and enrich soil organic matter.
Diversification of crop species: This includes practices such as crop rotations and intercropping, which help in breaking pest cycles, improving soil fertility, and enhancing biodiversity.

Based on these principles:

Statement 2: "Adopting minimum tillage" directly aligns with the principle of minimum soil disturbance.
Statement 4: "Using crop residues to cover soil surface" directly aligns with the principle of permanent organic soil cover.
Statement 5: "Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations" directly aligns with the principle of diversification of crop species.

Therefore, statements 2, 4, and 5 are integral components of Conservation Agriculture.

Incorrect Options

Statement 1: "Avoiding the monoculture practices" is a desirable practice for sustainable agriculture and is a consequence of adopting crop rotations (Statement 5). However, it is not typically enumerated as a distinct core principle of Conservation Agriculture separate from crop diversification.
Statement 3: "Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops" is not a principle of Conservation Agriculture. CA focuses on the methods of cultivation rather than the specific type of crop being grown. CA principles can be applied to various crop types, including plantation crops.

Option (a) is incorrect as it includes Statement 1 and Statement 3. Option (b) is incorrect as it includes Statement 3. Option (d) is incorrect as it includes Statement 1 and Statement 3.