Question

Strip cropping is a method of
A. Water conservation
B. Soil conservation
C. Air pollution
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: It is important to protect the earth from exhaustion and destruction to achieve sustainable development. Strip cropping helps is a method responsible for improvement of the soil and water quality etc. Also, there are many other techniques that can help in the production of crops.

Complete answer:
In Strip cropping the crops are developed in bands or strips across a field. It is used when the slope is too long and helps in the prevention of soil erosion. (occurs when there is disturbance of top soil by wind, water etc.) It stops the soil erosion by preserving the soil quality, constructing dams for water. Some of the plant layers will swallow minerals and water from soil more easily compared to others. When the water goes to the fragile soil it normally washes away as it does not contain minerals. When the strips of soil are vigorous in slowing the water from moving them, the fragile soil cannot wash away, like it normally would. By this way the farmlands get fertile for a long time.

Strip cropping is multipurpose cropping as it helps in:
- Minimizing soil erosion from water, wind
- Minimizing water borne contaminants
- Sheltering the growing crops from the damage
- Maximizing the soil moisture and quality
- Improving wildlife habitat.
It is found that in plain areas stripping crops are used for soil conservation in which the bands or strips of grass stand in the middle of the crops. The bands of grass minimize the force of winds and prevent soil erosion.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Soil erosion is increasing day by day so it is very important to conserve the soil. Different methods other than strip cropping like afforestation, construction of dams, changing agricultural practices are used for soil conservation to improve the quality of soil and crop yield.