Question

Assertion (A): Organic mulch conserves soil moisture.
Reason (R): Organic mulches cut off solar radiation falling on the soil surface and reduce evaporation.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
• D. (A) is false but (R) is true.

Hint:

Mulches help conserve water by acting as a protective barrier from sun and wind.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Mulched soils retain more moisture than bare soils, so Assertion is true.
Step 2: Mulch blocks solar radiation and reduces evaporation, so Reason is true.
Step 3: Reduced evaporation is exactly why moisture is conserved, so the reason explains the assertion.
Step 4: Correct answer, both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).