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Q83 (IAS/2016) Economy › Agriculture & Rural Economy › Irrigation and watershed Official Key

Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation? 1. Reduction in weed 2. Reduction in soil salinity 3. Reduction in soil erosion Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C (1 and 3 only).

Drip irrigation discourages weed growth because water is only delivered where it is needed[1], meaning that areas between plants remain dry and inhospitable to weeds. This targeted water application is a key advantage over conventional irrigation methods that wet entire fields.

Drip irrigation systems can also help reduce soil erosion[2] since water is applied slowly at low rates directly to the root zone, preventing the surface runoff and water flow that causes erosion in flood or surface irrigation systems.

However, statement 2 is incorrect. Drip irrigation does not reduce soil salinity; in fact, it requires careful salinity management. Since water is applied close to plants so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted[3], salts can accumulate in areas where water does not reach. The precise water application actually necessitates careful monitoring and leaching to prevent salt buildup in the root zone.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are advantages of drip irrigation, making option C the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Advantages: > p. 364
  2. [3] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation? 1. Reduction in weed 2. Reduction in soil salinit…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 · 3.3/10

This question rewards 'mechanistic visualization' over rote memorization. While books list advantages, the key was to visualize the water flow: Drip = localized wetness. This logically confirms weed reduction (dry inter-rows) and erosion control (no runoff), but exposes the trap in salinity (no flushing action).

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does practicing drip irrigation reduce weed growth or weed infestation compared to conventional irrigation methods?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Advantages: > p. 364
Presence: 5/5
“• Reduces the water loss due to evaporation and deep drainage. • Prevents fungal disease by minimising water contact. • Discourages weed growth because water is only delivered where it is needed. • Can eliminate many diseases which spread through drained out irrigation water having • harmful chemicals like fertilisers and pesticides. • Increases WUE.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states drip irrigation 'discourages weed growth because water is only delivered where it is needed.'
  • Links the delivery pattern of drip systems directly to reduced weed establishment.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
Presence: 4/5
“Drip irrigation involves dripping water onto the soil at very low rates (2-20 litres/hour) from a system of small diameter plastic pipes fitted with outlets called emitters or drippers. Water is applied close to plants so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted, unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, which involves wetting the whole soil profile. With drip irrigation water, applications are more frequent (usually every 1-3 days) than with other methods and this provides a very favourable high moisture level in the soil in which plants can flourish. Drip irrigation is most suitable for row crops (vegetables, soft fruits like grapes), tree and vine crops where one or more emitters can be provided for each plant.”
Why this source?
  • Describes that drip irrigates only part of the soil (wets root zone) unlike surface/sprinkler which wets the whole soil profile.
  • Provides the mechanistic basis: limited wetted soil area reduces moisture available for non-crop (weed) growth.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Drip irrigation: > p. 366
Presence: 3/5
“• Drip irrigation is also called trickle irrigation and involves dripping water onto the soil at very low rates from a system of small diameter plastic pipes fitted with outlets called emitters. Water is applied close to plants so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted, unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, which involves wetting the whole soil profile.”
Why this source?
  • Defines drip (trickle) irrigation and emphasizes water is applied close to plants so only part of the soil is wetted.
  • Supports the inference that reduced overall soil wetting lowers habitat for weeds compared with methods wetting the entire soil surface.
Statement 2
Does practicing drip irrigation reduce soil salinity or help manage soil salinity in irrigated fields?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 26: Agriculture > Soil Conservation and Sound Farming Techniques > p. 245
Strength: 5/5
“10. Irrigation. Irrigation is one of the oldest farming techniques used by men, not only in supplying additional water in moisture deficient farm lands but also in improving the aeration in the soil. In desert areas likes Egypt, water in the irrigation canals also helps to reduce the salinity of the soil making it possible for many plants to survive the highly alkaline soil. Irrigation may take many forms, depending on the geographical location of the area, the natural drainage pattern, the type of climate and the crops to be raised. The following are some of the more common types of irrigation: (a) Basin irrigation.”
Why relevant

Shows that irrigation (canals/canals water) may reduce soil salinity in deserts by supplying water that dilutes/leaches salts and improves aeration.

How to extend

A student can contrast the leaching effect described here with the much smaller wetted volume of drip systems to judge whether drip provides enough water to flush salts.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
Strength: 5/5
“Drip irrigation involves dripping water onto the soil at very low rates (2-20 litres/hour) from a system of small diameter plastic pipes fitted with outlets called emitters or drippers. Water is applied close to plants so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted, unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, which involves wetting the whole soil profile. With drip irrigation water, applications are more frequent (usually every 1-3 days) than with other methods and this provides a very favourable high moisture level in the soil in which plants can flourish. Drip irrigation is most suitable for row crops (vegetables, soft fruits like grapes), tree and vine crops where one or more emitters can be provided for each plant.”
Why relevant

Defines drip irrigation as wetting only part of the soil profile (root zone) with frequent low-volume applications.

How to extend

Using the fact that drip wets a limited soil volume, a student can infer that drip may not produce the large downward water flux needed to leach salts from deeper layers unless supplemented by other measures.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Disadvantages: > p. 364
Strength: 4/5
“• 1. The initial cost is rather very high. • Any cost of power to provide pressure must be added to the irrigation charges. \overline{2}. • 3. Wind interferes with the distribution pattern, reducing spread or increasing application rate near lateral pipe. (b) Drip/Trickle Irrigation It is adaptable to all types of farmable slopes and is suitable to most of the soils. It is a technique in which water is supplied into special drip pipes, which are attached with emitters having a specific spacing. Through the emitters, water is directly supplied near the roots of the plants with a special slow release device. • Sensitivity to clogging • Moisture distribution issue • Salinity hazards”
Why relevant

Lists 'Salinity hazards' under issues associated with drip/trickle irrigation, implying drip can be linked to salinity problems in some contexts.

How to extend

A student could combine this warning with knowledge of local salt sources (saline groundwater, high evaporation) to assess risk that drip will concentrate salts near emitters or fail to remove them.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 6: Soils > iv) Saline and Alkaline Soils > p. 19
Strength: 4/5
“(iv) Saline and Alkaline Soils Soil salinity and alkalinity are found in the relatively less rainfall recording areas where the rate of evaporation is generally higher than the rate of precipitation. They also develop in the Khadar lands and the canal irrigated areas. Under such conditions, the ground water level rises and saline and alkaline efflorescence consisting of salts of sodium, calcium, and manganese appear on the surface as a layer of white salt through capillary action. According to one estimate, about 80 lakh hectares (2.4% of the country's reporting area) has been adversely affected by saline and alkaline formations.”
Why relevant

Explains that salinisation often results where evaporation exceeds precipitation and in canal-irrigated areas due to rising groundwater and capillary salt accumulation.

How to extend

A student can apply this mechanism to evaluate whether a low-volume, localized irrigation regime (drip) would reduce capillary rise and salt deposition or instead allow salts to accumulate in the root zone.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 2020 > p. 373
Strength: 3/5
“Irrigation in India Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only • (b) 2 and 3 only• (c) 2 only • (d) 1 and 3 only • 2. Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation? • 1. Reduction in weed• 2. Reduction in soil salinity• 3. Reduction in soil erosion Select the correct answer using the codes given below: • (a) 1 and 2 only • (b) 3 only • (c) 1 and 3 only • (d) None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation \vert 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 \vert No question • 3.”
Why relevant

Presents an exam item that treats 'reduction in soil salinity' as a proposed advantage of drip irrigation (among other options), indicating this is a debated or taught point.

How to extend

A student could use this as a prompt to look for conditions (soil type, salt load, depth to water table) under which textbooks or exam guides consider that drip reduces salinity vs. when it does not.

Statement 3
Does practicing drip irrigation reduce soil erosion compared to conventional surface or flood irrigation methods?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Drip irrigation systems can also help reduce soil erosion and limit the run-off of fertilizers and pesticides into nearby waterways."
Why this source?
  • Directly states that drip irrigation can reduce soil erosion.
  • Also links reduced erosion with limiting run-off of fertilizers and pesticides, implying less surface movement of water/soil compared to other methods.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"Avoiding water wastage, soil erosion and salinity"
Why this source?
  • Identifies soil erosion as a specific issue to be avoided in surface irrigation practice.
  • By highlighting soil erosion as a concern for surface methods, it provides context that alternatives (e.g., systems that avoid surface runoff) can address erosion.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
Strength: 4/5
“Drip irrigation involves dripping water onto the soil at very low rates (2-20 litres/hour) from a system of small diameter plastic pipes fitted with outlets called emitters or drippers. Water is applied close to plants so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted, unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, which involves wetting the whole soil profile. With drip irrigation water, applications are more frequent (usually every 1-3 days) than with other methods and this provides a very favourable high moisture level in the soil in which plants can flourish. Drip irrigation is most suitable for row crops (vegetables, soft fruits like grapes), tree and vine crops where one or more emitters can be provided for each plant.”
Why relevant

States drip irrigation wets only the root zone rather than the whole soil profile, contrasting it with surface/flood irrigation.

How to extend

A student could combine this with the basic fact that less surface wetting reduces surface runoff and hence likely reduces runoff-driven soil erosion on many slopes.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 4. Micro-Irrigation > p. 363
Strength: 4/5
“• It involves application of water at low volume and at frequent intervals under the zone of plant roots. • Unlike flood irrigation where water is lost in conveyance, micro-irrigation not only leads to water saving but also aids in soil health management and prevents water logging.”
Why relevant

Describes micro‑irrigation (including drip) as applying low volumes frequently under the root zone and as aiding soil health and preventing waterlogging.

How to extend

One can infer that by avoiding over‑saturation and ponding (which can cause soil detachment), drip may lower erosion risks compared with methods that cause waterlogging.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Disadvantages: > p. 364
Strength: 4/5
“• 1. The initial cost is rather very high. • Any cost of power to provide pressure must be added to the irrigation charges. \overline{2}. • 3. Wind interferes with the distribution pattern, reducing spread or increasing application rate near lateral pipe. (b) Drip/Trickle Irrigation It is adaptable to all types of farmable slopes and is suitable to most of the soils. It is a technique in which water is supplied into special drip pipes, which are attached with emitters having a specific spacing. Through the emitters, water is directly supplied near the roots of the plants with a special slow release device. • Sensitivity to clogging • Moisture distribution issue • Salinity hazards”
Why relevant

Notes drip irrigation is adaptable to farmable slopes and suitable for most soils, with water supplied directly near roots via slow release emitters.

How to extend

Using basic terrain knowledge (slopes are prone to runoff/erosion under heavy surface flow), a student could reason drip's slow, localized application should generate less erosive surface flow on slopes than flood methods.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 6. Basin Method > p. 366
Strength: 3/5
“◎ 6. Basin Method Field is divided into basins of area measuring 10-100 square metre or even more. Small irrigation channels are made between two adjacent basins. These small basins are filled with water to make the soil saturated. This method of irrigation is suitable for rice cultivation. In this method, wastage of water and soil erosion can be reduced. But due to the formation of borders between the basins in the field, wastage of land is involved in this method.”
Why relevant

Explains the basin (a surface irrigation) method can reduce wastage of water and soil erosion, showing that irrigation method influences erosion outcomes.

How to extend

This example provides a pattern: choice/design of irrigation method affects erosion; by analogy, a method that minimizes surface flow (drip) could similarly reduce erosion relative to other surface methods.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 2020 > p. 373
Strength: 2/5
“Irrigation in India Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only • (b) 2 and 3 only• (c) 2 only • (d) 1 and 3 only • 2. Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation? • 1. Reduction in weed• 2. Reduction in soil salinity• 3. Reduction in soil erosion Select the correct answer using the codes given below: • (a) 1 and 2 only • (b) 3 only • (c) 1 and 3 only • (d) None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation \vert 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 \vert No question • 3.”
Why relevant

Presents a practice‑question listing 'reduction in soil erosion' among proposed advantages of practicing drip irrigation (as an item to evaluate).

How to extend

Although not an explicit endorsement, a student could take this as an indication that textbooks associate erosion outcomes with drip and then seek basic hydrological reasoning or local data to judge the claim.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC tests the 'Physical Mechanism' of technologies, not just their policy benefits. They specifically target the *limitations* of popular solutions (e.g., Drip causes salinity accumulation at the root zone periphery).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Conceptual Trap. Statement 2 is the 'scientific counter-intuitive' point that separates generalists from specialists. Source: Standard Economy/Geography texts (Singhania/NCERT).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Agriculture > Irrigation Methods > Micro-Irrigation (PMKSY). The shift from 'Flood' to 'Precision' farming.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: 1. Fertigation (Nutrient efficiency via drip). 2. Sub-surface drip (Zero evaporation). 3. Sprinkler limitations (High wind drift, leaf burn). 4. Salt Ring Effect (Salts accumulate at the edge of the wetted bulb in drip). 5. Clogging (Algae/sediment sensitivity).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Don't just memorize 'Drip is good.' Ask 'Where does the water go?' If water doesn't touch the inter-row soil, weeds can't grow (St 1). If water doesn't flow over the surface, soil can't erode (St 3). If water isn't in excess, salts aren't flushed down (St 2 false).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Localized wetting vs whole-profile wetting
💡 The insight

References show drip systems wet only the root zone while surface/sprinkler wet the whole soil profile — the core mechanism reducing weed-friendly moisture.

High-yield for questions on irrigation impacts: explains how irrigation method alters soil moisture distribution, weed dynamics, evaporation and disease risk. Connects agriculture technology to crop management and resource efficiency. Master by comparing mechanisms and outcomes across irrigation types and using example crops/contexts.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Drip irrigation: > p. 366
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce weed growth or weed infestation compared ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Advantages of drip irrigation (weed control, water use efficiency, disease reduction)
💡 The insight

Evidence directly lists weed discouragement, reduced evaporation and fewer water-contact diseases as benefits of drip irrigation.

Frequently tested in GS and environment sections when evaluating micro-irrigation policy and schemes. Helps frame balanced answers on technology benefits and trade-offs. Prepare by memorizing key advantages and linking them to schemes/policy and sustainability goals.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Advantages: > p. 364
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Other Methods of Irrigation > p. 73
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce weed growth or weed infestation compared ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Implementation limits and management of drip systems
💡 The insight

References note practical limitations (high initial cost, clogging, need for maintenance) that affect adoption despite agronomic benefits like weed reduction.

Essential for analytical answers on adoption barriers and policy measures (subsidy, maintenance training). Enables balanced evaluation questions and policy recommendations. Study by listing common technical/economic constraints and matching remedies (maintenance, design improvements).

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Other Methods of Irrigation > p. 73
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce weed growth or weed infestation compared ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Wetted soil profile: drip vs surface/sprinkler irrigation
💡 The insight

Drip irrigation wets only the root zone while surface/sprinkler irrigation wets the whole soil profile — this difference affects salt movement, leaching and local accumulation.

High-yield for UPSC geography/agriculture questions: understanding how irrigation methods change soil moisture distribution helps predict salinization or leaching outcomes. Connects to topics on irrigation technology, crop choice and soil management. Learn by comparing method descriptions and their hydrological impacts; use diagrammatic practice and case comparisons (drip vs surface).

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Drip irrigation: > p. 366
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce soil salinity or help manage soil salinit..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Causes of soil salinization in irrigated areas (waterlogging, capillary rise, intensive irrigation)
💡 The insight

References attribute salinization to rising groundwater, capillary upward movement and intensive/canal irrigation practices — these are the primary processes producing salt-affected soils in irrigated lands.

Core concept for questions on land degradation and irrigation impacts. Frequently tested in mains and prelims in both static and applied formats; links to water management, groundwater depletion and crop impacts. Study by mapping processes (evaporation > capillary rise > salt deposition) and regional examples.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 6: Soils > iv) Saline and Alkaline Soils > p. 19
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Degradation of Cultivable Land > p. 39
  • INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Water Resources of India > p. 44
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce soil salinity or help manage soil salinit..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Irrigation as both a salinity mitigation tool (flushing) and a salinity risk (method-specific hazards)
💡 The insight

Evidence shows general irrigation (canal flushing) can reduce surface salinity in some contexts, while drip irrigation documentation lists 'salinity hazards' as a disadvantage—so irrigation can both mitigate and cause salinity depending on method and context.

Important nuance for UPSC answers: policies/technologies can have context-dependent outcomes. Useful for balanced answer-writing on irrigation policy and land degradation. Prepare by contrasting mitigation (flushing, drainage) with method-specific risks (reduced leaching in localized irrigation); practice case-based arguments.

📚 Reading List :
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 26: Agriculture > Soil Conservation and Sound Farming Techniques > p. 245
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > Disadvantages: > p. 364
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce soil salinity or help manage soil salinit..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Drip / Micro‑irrigation: localized wetting and water‑saving
💡 The insight

Multiple references describe drip/micro‑irrigation as delivering water at low rates directly to root zones, wetting only part of the soil and saving large amounts of water — core technical differences from surface/flood systems.

High‑yield for irrigation questions: explains how application method determines soil moisture distribution, water efficiency and management needs. Links to topics on agricultural technology, resource efficiency and crop suitability. Learn definitions, mechanism (emitters, low flow rates), advantages/limitations and crop types to answer comparative and policy questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 2. Drip/Trickle/Micro/Localized Irrigation > p. 334
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Drip irrigation: > p. 366
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 11: Irrigation in India > 4. Micro-Irrigation > p. 363
🔗 Anchor: "Does practicing drip irrigation reduce soil erosion compared to conventional sur..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Salt Ring' Phenomenon: In drip irrigation, salts are pushed to the outer edge of the wetted soil bulb. A future statement might be: 'Drip irrigation can lead to salt accumulation at the periphery of the root zone.' (True).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Physics of Cleaning': To reduce salinity (clean the soil), you need to *wash* it (leaching), which requires *excess* water. Drip is defined by *minimal* water. Therefore, Drip cannot physically 'wash' the soil. Statement 2 is logically inconsistent with the definition of Drip.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-3 (Land Degradation): Link this to 'Desertification'. Canal irrigation causes salinity via capillary rise (waterlogging), while Drip prevents waterlogging but fails to leach existing salts. Both require distinct management for Land Degradation Neutrality.

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IAS · 2020 · Q13 Relevance score: 2.80

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IAS · 2017 · Q4 Relevance score: 2.30

In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ? 1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. 2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. 3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

IAS · 2017 · Q33 Relevance score: 1.58

What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the 'National Agriculture Market' scheme ? 1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities. 2. It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

IAS · 2018 · Q82 Relevance score: 1.43

With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements : 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle. 3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?