Question

The most erosion resistance crop is

• A. Black gram
• B. Maize
• C. Jowar
• D. Bajra

Hint:

Think of "Cover Crops."
Legumes = Erosion Resisting (they hug the ground).
Tall Cereals = Erosion Permitting (they stand apart).
Using Black gram as an "intercrop" with Maize is a great conservation strategy!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify which of the listed crops provides the best protection to the soil against erosion.
Detailed Explanation:

• Concept of Erosion-Resisting vs. Erosion-Permitting Crops:
Crops affect soil erosion primarily through their canopy cover and root systems.
Erosion-Permitting Crops: These are typically tall-growing crops with sparse canopies, especially during the early growth stages. They leave a lot of bare soil exposed to raindrop impact. Examples include Maize, Jowar (Sorghum), and Bajra (Pearl Millet).
Erosion-Resisting Crops: These are usually legumes or spreading crops that create a dense "mat" or "carpet" over the soil surface very quickly. Examples include Cowpea, Groundnut, and Black gram (Vigna mungo).

• Mechanism of Protection:
Black gram is a short-duration pulse crop with a spreading growth habit.
Its dense canopy intercepts raindrops, dissipating their kinetic energy before they hit the soil. This prevents "splash erosion."
The close spacing and creeping nature of the plant also act as a physical barrier to surface runoff, slowing it down and allowing more infiltration.

• Analyzing Cereals (Maize, Jowar, Bajra):
These are "row crops." Because they are planted with wide spacing, the soil between the rows remains exposed for a long time.
During heavy monsoons, these exposed areas are highly susceptible to sheet and rill erosion.

Step 2: Final Answer: Among the options, Black gram is the most effective erosion-resistant crop due to its dense soil-covering canopy.