Question

Which of the following statements are correct for "Tillage"?

(A) The most important objectives of tillage are seedbed preparation, increasing soil fertility, and soil moisture conservation.
(B) Tillage increases the bulk density of soil in the long run.
(C) Tillage improve soil tilth, soil aeration and root penetration.
(D) Tillage removes hard pans thus increase the soil depth for water absorption.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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

Hint:

Separate tillage's short term benefits, like better tilth and aeration, from its long term compaction effects.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question lists four statements about tillage and asks which of them are correct.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Tillage means mechanically working the soil to prepare it for crop growth. Its short term and long term effects on soil are different, and telling these apart is the key to solving this question.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
(A) says the most important objectives of tillage are seedbed preparation, increasing soil fertility, and moisture conservation. Tillage does help prepare a seedbed and conserve moisture by breaking capillary pores, but tillage on its own does not directly raise soil fertility, and repeated tillage can even lower organic matter over time. So statement (A) is not fully correct.
(B) says tillage increases the bulk density of soil in the long run. A single tillage pass loosens the surface and briefly lowers bulk density, but repeated tillage at the same depth, year after year, compresses the soil layer just below the plough depth. This forms a compacted plough pan with higher bulk density. So over the long run, tillage does raise bulk density in that zone, making statement (B) correct.
(C) says tillage improves soil tilth, aeration and root penetration. This is a well established short term benefit of tillage: loosening the soil creates better tilth, lets more air reach the root zone, and gives roots an easier path to grow through. Statement (C) is correct.
(D) says tillage removes hard pans and so increases the effective soil depth available for water absorption. Deep tillage and subsoiling are used specifically to break hard pans, letting water and roots reach deeper into the profile. Statement (D) is correct.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Statements (B), (C) and (D) are correct, while (A) overstates tillage's effect on soil fertility, so option (3) is correct.