Question

Nutrient supply in organic farming is based on feeding the soil not feeding the crop -Justify
(A). In organic management nutrient sources are mostly on-farm produced and naturally occurred not off-farm external inputs
(B). Soil fertility is maintained by a variety of means like crop rotation, organic mulching, cover crop, etc.
(C). Recycling and reuse of products and by-products of different components of an organic farm
(D). Nutrients enrichment of soil by encouraging natural cycles and soil biological activity
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• B. (A), (C) and (D) only.
• C. (B), (C) and (D) only.
• D. (B), (A) and (D) only.

Hint:

Organic farming relies on soil microbes to mineralize organic matter into plant-available nutrients. Supporting these microbes through crop rotation and residue recycling is what "feeds the soil."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The fundamental principle of organic farming is to sustain crop growth by building and maintaining soil biological fertility, rather than relying on direct applications of soluble chemical fertilizers.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The concept of "feeding the soil, not the crop" is supported by:
- Statement (B): Using cultural practices like crop rotation, organic mulches, and cover cropping adds organic matter, protects soil structure, and maintains soil health.
- Statement (C): Recycling farm by-products and residues supports the soil food web and returns organic carbon and nutrients to the soil.
- Statement (D): Encouraging natural nutrient cycles (such as biological nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization) and soil biological activity releases plant-available nutrients gradually.
- While Statement (A) describes a characteristic of organic farming, simply using on-farm inputs does not explain the biological mechanism of "feeding the soil" as clearly as statements (B), (C), and (D).
Therefore, (B), (C), and (D) provide the most direct justification.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (C).