Question

Choose the principles of conservation agriculture :
A. Permanent organic soil cover
B. Intensive herbicide use
C. Minimum mechanical soil disturbance
D. Diversified crop rotations
E. Integrated nutrient magement
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. A, B, C only
• B. B, C, D only
• C. C, D, E only
• D. A, C, D only

Hint:

Remember the 3 Pillars of CA: 1. Minimal soil disturbance (Zero Tillage). 2. Permanent soil cover (Mulch/Residues). 3. Crop diversification (Rotations).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the fundamental principles that formally define Conservation Agriculture (CA) as established by intertiol organizations like the FAO.

Step 2: Three Core Pillars of Conservation Agriculture (FAO):

• Minimum Mechanical Soil Disturbance (C): Practicing no-till zero-tillage or direct seeding to preserve soil structure and soil organic matter.
• Permanent Organic Soil Cover (A): Maintaining at least $30\%$ ground cover using crop residues, cover crops, or mulches.
• Diversified Crop Rotations (D): Rotating varied crop species (including legumes) to break pest cycles and enhance soil health.

Step 3: Detailed Explation:

• Intensive herbicide use (B) is NOT a principle of CA (herbicides may be used selectively during transition, but intensive chemical reliance is avoided).
• Integrated Nutrient Magement (E) is a general sustaible practice, but not one of the three baseline pillars defining CA.
• Thus, the core pillars are A, C, and D.

Step 4: Fil Answer:
The three principles of Conservation Agriculture are A, C, D only. Therefore, option (D) is correct.