Tag: protecting our environment

The harmful change in the colour, texture, and quality of soil due to addition and removal of any material is called soil pollution. Soil pollution reduces the productivity of the soil. There are several pollutants that cause soil pollution. For example, agricultural wastes, radioactive wastes and discarded materials of hospitals etc. Weeds are the unwanted crops that compete with the main crop. Weedicides are the chemicals used to kill the weeds so that plants can grow properly. Cropping techniques should be improved to prevent the growth of weeds to minimise soil pollution. Other chemicals like pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers etc. are also used to promote the growth of crops. These are the chemicals that get consumed with the food by the living beings and are also involved in changing the pH of the soil. These are harmful to living beings and the ecosystem. For example, repeated use of fertilizers makes the soil acidic which in turn decreases the productivity of the soil. So, use of pesticide and fertilizers should be minimised, fertilizers should be replaced by manures and composts. Therefore, the correct option is D.

Earthworms are traditionally called as friends of farmers because they increase aeration and make available nitrogen and potassium to plants in easily usable form. The dead and decaying materials contain certain complex molecules which are churned and broken down into simpler one and forms compost. The process is known as vermicomposting.

The trash is mainly composed of the papers and the cardboard. These components contain the cellulose and can be degraded by the activity of the microorganisms. These products do not cause soil pollution. 

Saalumarada Thimmakka is an Indian environmentalist from the state of Karnataka, noted for her work in planting and tending to 384 banyan trees along a four-kilometre stretch of highway. Her work has been honoured with the National Citizen's Award of India.

The industrial wastes include the chemicals which act as pollutants. These pollutants reduce the fertility of the soil and the soil becomes less productive. This disturbs the soil profile and nutrient content of the soil. The number of beneficial microbes in the soil gets reduced. The domestic and biodegradable wastes can be degraded by the microbial activity and converted to nutrient forms. So, there is no effect of these wastes in the contamination of the soil.

• Afforestation is the process of planting trees, or sowing seeds, in a barren land devoid of any trees to create a forest. The term should not be confused with reforestation, which is the process of specifically planting native trees into a forest that has decreasing numbers of trees.
• Indigenous species refers to species originating or occurring naturally in a particular place(native).
• Hence Afforestation should be with Indigenous species because they are easily available and have a high growth rate.
• So, the correct answer is  'Indigenous species'.

• Mulching is a process of covering (as of straw, compost, or plastic sheeting) the soil and make more favorable conditions for plant growth and development.
• Mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of the soil. Reasons for applying mulch include conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility and health of the soil, reducing weed growth and enhancing the visual appeal of the area.
  
• Hence Mulching is helpful in Increasing soil fertility, Prevent soil erosion and Control weeds.
• So, the correct answer is 'All the above'.

Agrostologic method of soil conservation means in which grasses are grown to check the soil erosion. In dry farming, crop production, animal husbandry and grazing fields are used to prevent soil erosion. It is carried out in low and moderate rainfall areas.