Question:medium

The major drawbacks of conventional tillage are categorized as:

(A) Decrease of soil organic matter
(B) Decrease of soil moisture
(C) Short-term potential for soil compaction
(D) Adversely affect the soil structure

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Check each statement against known effects of conventional tillage, paying close attention to whether compaction is described as a short-term or long-term effect.
  • (A), (B) and (C) only.
  • (B), (C) and (D) only.
  • (A), (B) and (D) only.
  • (A), (B), (C) and (D).
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Go through the four claims one at a time. Organic matter loss (A) happens because tillage aerates buried residues and speeds up their decomposition, so this is a real drawback. Moisture loss (B) happens because a freshly tilled, loosened surface loses water faster to evaporation, so this is also real. Soil structure damage (D) happens because repeated passes crush natural aggregates and disturb pores over successive seasons, so this too is a real drawback.
Compaction (C) is the odd one out. Ploughing and other conventional operations do create a compacted layer just below the working depth, called a plough pan or hardpan, but this builds up gradually across many seasons of repeated tillage. It is consistently described as a long-term consequence, not something that shows up in the short term. Because the option specifically says "short-term," it does not fit.
So the valid drawbacks are only A, B and D.
\[\boxed{(A),\ (B)\ \text{and}\ (D)\ \text{only}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0