Question

Which of the following are true in case of puddling
(A). Puddling increases the soil strength of puddled layer.
(B). Main purpose of puddling is to create an impermeable layer in the soil.
(C). Higher clay content facilitates puddling.
(D). Puddling is practiced in transplanted rice and not in direct seeded rice.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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

Hint:

Puddling is highly beneficial for rice water conservation but destructive to soil physical properties for subsequent upland crops (like wheat in a rice-wheat rotation) due to the formation of a hard subsoil pan.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Puddling is a critical agricultural land preparation practice commonly performed for paddy (rice) cultivation.
It involves churning the soil in the presence of standing water to destroy the soil's macro-structure, disperse clay particles, and close up the larger pore spaces.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each statement carefully.
Statement (A): Puddling involves shearing wet soil, which destroys its aggregates and leads to soil compaction and liquefaction of the upper layer.
Consequently, the soil bearing strength of the puddled (top) layer is drastically reduced, creating a soft muddy layer that makes transplanting easier.
Thus, statement (A) is false.
Statement (B): The mechanical destruction of pore space and subsequent alignment of clay particles forms a highly compacted, dense impermeable layer (plough pan) just below the puddled depth.
This impermeable layer minimizes the percolation losses of water and nutrients, maintaining the standing water level needed for rice.
Thus, statement (B) is true.
Statement (C): Soils rich in clay are highly responsive to puddling because clay particles are easily dispersed in water and clog the soil pores.
Sandy soils cannot be puddled effectively due to the lack of fine cohesive particles.
Thus, statement (C) is true.
Statement (D): Puddling is specifically practiced to create soft, anaerobic mud suited for manual or mechanical transplanting of rice seedlings.
For direct-seeded rice (DSR), seeds are sown directly on unpuddled, well-drained soils, meaning puddling is not practiced there.
Thus, statement (D) is true.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statements (B), (C), and (D) are true, while statement (A) is false.