Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): A key component of conservation agriculture is soil tillage connected to zero tillage, reduced tillage and ridge tillage.
Statement (II): Improved crop yields are one benefit of the innovation known as zero tillage especially in rice-wheat system due to timely seeding of wheat.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
• C. Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
• D. Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Hint:

Recall the three pillars of conservation agriculture and why timely wheat sowing matters after rice.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Conservation agriculture (CA) rests on three linked principles, minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop rotation or diversification. This question checks whether minimum tillage practices and one real yield benefit of zero tillage are correctly described.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Check each statement against what is actually practiced and documented for conservation agriculture and zero tillage in the rice-wheat cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Statement I: Minimum soil disturbance, the first pillar of conservation agriculture, is put into practice through a range of reduced-tillage options, including zero tillage (no tillage at all before sowing), reduced tillage (fewer, shallower operations than conventional tillage) and ridge tillage (sowing on ridges formed once and reused). So tillage management linked to these three practices is indeed a key component of CA, and Statement I is true.
Statement II: In the rice-wheat system common across northern India, wheat sown after rice harvest is often delayed because turnaround time is needed for conventional tillage, and this delay lowers yield since wheat is sensitive to late sowing. Zero tillage lets farmers drill wheat directly into rice stubble right after harvest, cutting this turnaround time and allowing timely sowing. Field trials have recorded better wheat yields under zero tillage in this system mainly because of this timely sowing effect, so Statement II is also true.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Both statements are true, so option 1 is correct.