Question map
Consider the following agricultural practices : 1. Contour bunding 2. Relay cropping 3. Zero tillage In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil ?
Explanation
Agricultural practices like contour bunding, relay cropping, and zero tillage significantly contribute to soil carbon sequestration. Zero tillage (or conservation tillage) minimizes soil disturbance, which reduces the mineralization of organic matter and increases soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks [3]. Relay cropping, a form of crop diversification and intercropping, ensures continuous vegetative cover and organic inputs, which are essential for maintaining soil fertility and enhancing carbon storage [4]. Contour bunding, primarily a soil and water conservation measure, helps mitigate erosion and runoff, thereby preventing the loss of carbon-rich topsoil and facilitating the accumulation of carbon stocks [2]. Collectively, these practices are recognized as climate-smart interventions that improve soil structure and sequester atmospheric carbon into the soil, aiding in climate change mitigation [4].
Sources
- [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.13 Conservation Agriculture > p. 353
- [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Relay intercropping > p. 358
- [4] https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstreams/d601af3a-03f7-5ddc-9ad0-f432a61be1d0/download
- [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Advantages of Zero tillage > p. 356