Question:

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I) : Nurse crops are perennial crops grown to help early establishment of annual crops for control of weeds.
Statement (II) : Cover crops are grown to protect the soil in order to manage soil erosion and soil fertility.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

Show Hint

Remember that nurse crops act as temporary "protectors" for slow-growing seedlings, while cover crops act as "blankets" to protect and enrich the soil surface.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
  • Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
  • Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
  • Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests definitions of supportive crop management systems, specifically comparing "Nurse crops" and "Cover crops."

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze each statement:
Statement (I): Nurse crops are perennial crops grown to help early establishment of annual crops for control of weeds.
This statement is incorrect.
A nurse crop is typically a fast-growing annual crop planted alongside a slower-growing perennial crop.
The primary role of the nurse crop is to:
- Provide temporary shade and wind protection.
- Suppress weed growth during the early stages of the perennial crop's development.
For example, fast-growing oats are often sown as a nurse crop to protect young, slow-growing alfalfa seedlings.
The statement incorrectly reverses this relationship by stating that perennials are grown to nurse annual crops.
Statement (II): Cover crops are grown to protect the soil in order to manage soil erosion and soil fertility.
This statement is correct.
Cover crops are planted primarily to cover the soil surface rather than for immediate harvest.
They help prevent soil erosion by wind and water, suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and increase soil organic matter and fertility (especially when leguminous cover crops are used).

Step 3: Final Answer:

Statement (I) is incorrect, while Statement (II) is correct.
This corresponds to Option (D).
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