What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop. 2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Option (d) Zero tillage is a conservation agriculture technique that involves growing crops without disturbing the soil through ploughing. This method offers multiple advantages: - It enables the direct sowing of subsequent crops, such as wheat, into fields containing the residue of the previous crop (e.g., paddy stubble) without the need for burning. This practice helps in managing crop residue effectively and reduces air pollution. - It facilitates direct seeding of rice (DSR), where paddy seeds are directly sown into the wet soil, eliminating the requirement for raising seedlings in a nursery and subsequent transplantation. This technique conserves water, reduces labour input, and can lower methane emissions. - By minimizing soil disturbance and retaining crop residues on the surface, zero tillage promotes the accumulation of organic matter in the soil. This enhances the soil's capacity to store carbon, thereby contributing to carbon sequestration. Incorrect Options Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect because they exclude one or more of the stated advantages of zero tillage, all of which are factually correct.

IAS 2020 — Environment & Ecology Environment & Ecology

2020mcqmedium

What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?

Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of the previous crop.
Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Official previous-year question

Verified 2 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3

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Solution

Correct Option (d)

Zero tillage is a conservation agriculture technique that involves growing crops without disturbing the soil through ploughing. This method offers multiple advantages:

It enables the direct sowing of subsequent crops, such as wheat, into fields containing the residue of the previous crop (e.g., paddy stubble) without the need for burning. This practice helps in managing crop residue effectively and reduces air pollution.
It facilitates direct seeding of rice (DSR), where paddy seeds are directly sown into the wet soil, eliminating the requirement for raising seedlings in a nursery and subsequent transplantation. This technique conserves water, reduces labour input, and can lower methane emissions.
By minimizing soil disturbance and retaining crop residues on the surface, zero tillage promotes the accumulation of organic matter in the soil. This enhances the soil's capacity to store carbon, thereby contributing to carbon sequestration.

Incorrect Options

Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect because they exclude one or more of the stated advantages of zero tillage, all of which are factually correct.

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