Question

The most efficient equipment for construction of contour bund is :

• A. V-ditcher
• B. A-frame ridger
• C. Mouldboard plough
• D. Buck-scraper

Hint:

To construct a contour bund with a Mouldboard plough, the tractor runs in a circular path or makes parallel back-and-forth passes, ensuring that the soil from the furrow slice is consistently thrown towards the center to build up the height of the bund.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Contour bunding is a mechanical soil conservation practice that involves constructing narrow earthen embankments (bunds) across the slope along a contour line.
These bunds intercept runoff, reduce soil erosion, and promote water infiltration.
Choosing the right implement is crucial for constructing these bunds efficiently and economically.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the suitability of the listed equipment for constructing contour bunds:
- Mouldboard (MB) plough:
The mouldboard plough is a primary tillage implement that cuts, lifts, and completely inverts the soil slice to one side.
By making successive adjacent passes along the contour line, throwing the soil in the same direction, a robust, continuous earthen ridge (bund) is formed quickly and efficiently.
It is considered the most efficient and widely used tractor-drawn equipment for initial bund construction.
- V-ditcher:
This implement is designed primarily to excavate drainage ditches or irrigation channels by pushing soil to both sides, which is less efficient for forming a single consolidated bund.
- A-frame ridger:
This is useful for making small, temporary ridges for row crops but lacks the heavy soil-turning capacity needed for permanent contour bunds.
- Buck-scraper:
A buck-scraper is primarily used for land leveling and moving loose soil over short distances, but it is too slow and labor-intensive for constructing long contour bunds.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The most efficient equipment for the construction of a contour bund is the Mouldboard plough (Option C).