In which one of the following areas in India, the problem of soil erosion is critical?
Correct Answer:
(B) Foothill areas of Shivalik ranges
The maximum soil erosion affected areas in India are given below:
Barren land of Chambal and Yamuna rivers
Foothill areas of Western Himalayan Ranges (including foot hill areas of the Shiwalik Ranges)
Chotanagpur Plateau
The area between Tapti and Sabarmati Valley (Malwa Plateau etc)
Black soil area of Maharashtra
Arid regions of Haryana, Rajasthan & Gujarat.
Ques: 2
Which among the following districts of Madhya Pradesh has a problem of soil erosion -
Correct Answer:
(C) Morena
In Madhya Pradesh, the problem of soil erosion is mostly found in Chambal valley where channel formation is very common and known as Chambal ravines. Soil contents are characterized by soft and alluvial soil, which help in the formation of these channels. Mainly Morena, Bhind, Gwalior and Shivpuri have become barren and infertile due to gully erosion by various rivers.
Ques: 3
Which one of the following types of erosion is responsible for the formation of Chambal Ravines?
Correct Answer:
(D) Gully
After viewing the map of soil erosion in India, it is clear that Gully Erosion is responsible for the formation of Chambal Ravines.
Ques: 4
Identify the correct order of the process of soil-erosion form the following:
Correct Answer:
(A) Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion
The correct order of the process of soil erosion is given below:
i. Raindrop or Splash erosion: Erosion preceded by the destruction of the crumb structure due to the impact of falling raindrop on the surface of the soil is termed as splash erosion.
Sheet erosion: It is the fairly uniform removal of soil in thin layers from the land surface, often scarcely perceptible, especially when caused by wind. Areas where loose, shallow topsoil overlies compact soil are most susceptible to sheet erosion.
Rill erosion: A form of water erosion in which numerous very small and more or less, straight channels are produced; the channels get obliterated by ordinary use. It can be removed by normal tillage operations.
Gully erosion: A form of water erosion in which gullies are produced by a combination of unattended rills.
Stream Channel erosion: Stream banks are eroded by water either flowing over the sides of a stream or scouring at the base. It is aggravated by removal of vegetation, overgrazing or cultivation near the stream banks.
Ques: 5
The rotation of crops is essential for –
Correct Answer:
(C) Increasing soil fertility
Crop rotation refers to the practice of growing different types of crops over the same area in different seasons. This is because the same type of crop planted repeatedly over the same area keeps draining the same nutrients of the land needed for that plant’s growth. Crop rotation not only enriches soil fertility but also helps in pest control.
Ques: 6
In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
Terrace cultivation
Deforestation
Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Correct Answer:
(B) 2 only
The destruction of soil cover is described as soil erosion. The soil forming processes and the erosional processes of running water and wind go on simultaneously. But generally, there is a balance between these two processes. Sometimes, such a balance is disturbed by natural or human factors, leading to a greater rate of removal of soil.
Deforestation is one of the major cause of soil erosion. Plants keep soils bound in locks of roots, and thus, prevents erosion. Terrace farming is a method of soil conservation. The tropical climate is not responsible for soil erosion.
Ques: 7
Soil erosion can be checked by
Correct Answer:
(C) Afforestation
Soil conservation includes all the methods to check soil erosion and maintain soil fertility. Some of the effective ways to prevent soil erosion are – afforestation, contour tillage, banning shifting cultivation, etc.
Ques: 8
Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture?
Reduced on zero tillage of the land
Applying gypsum before irrigating the field
Allowing crop residue to remain in the field
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct Answer:
(C) 1 and 3 only
Reduced or zero tillage of the land in farming is a way of growing crops or pasture year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage, so, it helps in soil moisture conservation. Gypsum helps in dissolution of the salt clay pan found in soils that obstructs the percolation of water. So, it increases the efficiency of irrigation. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field reduces evaporation of water from the soil. So, all the statements are correct.
Using surface residue covers to increase infiltration and reduce runoff. A residue cover absorbs most of the energy of the raindrops that fall on it and by the time this rainwater reaches the soil below, its ability to disintegrate soil aggregates and detach fine particles is greatly reduced.
Using Impermeable and permeable contour barriers at discrete intervals downslope combined with reduced tillage, or preferably zero tillage as in conservation agriculture.
The incorporation of lime without or with gypsum will reduce toxic concentrations of aluminium and/or manganese to non-toxic levels and so encourage deeper rooting enabling the crop to access more soil moisture. Gypsum increase the porosity of soil, in result which increase water infiltration in soil. Hence statement 1 and 3 are correct.