Page 115 - SST Class 08

Contour Ploughing Cover Planting
By this method, the fields are ploughed, harrowed In this method, cover crops are planted between
and sown along the the young trees. Leguminous crops such as the
contours instead of up and Japanese Legume Kundzu are often used because
down the slopes. This they add nitrogen to the soil and check soil
makes the rainwater stand in erosion.
level furrows and soak into Fallowing
the ground. This method
Contour ploughing This is allowing the much used land to rest or lie
reduces soil erosion.
fallow so that the natural forces can act on the
Terrace Farming soil.

Cutting down of hill Intercropping
slopes into terraces or
steps retard the flow of Different crops are grown
in alternate rows and are
running water and result
in conservation of the sown on different times to
topsoil. protect the soil from rain
wash.
Terrace Farming
Strip Cropping Intercropping
Construction of Dams
In this method, cover
crops, such as grasses and Dams can check the speed of water flow and
avoid the floods in the rivers.
small grains are planted
alternatively with Use of Fertilizers
cultivated crops. The
It is an another way of soil conservation. Farmers
cover crops absorb the use chemical fertilizers along with the organic
moisture and hold the Strip Cropping manures. These fertilizers are easier to use and
surface soil together.
help enormously in the growth of agriculture.
Crop Rotation
Besides above steps, green manuring plants like
Successive rotation of crops in agricultural lands alfalfa, red clover, sweet clover etc. should be
helps in the protection of soil. For example grown. These crops increase the productivity of
leguminous crops are grown in rotation with the soil. Crops like barley, cotton and maize also
cereals to retain the fertility of the soil. control salinity in the soil.
Plugging of Gullies Quiz Time

This is done by building Give reasons :
dams of stones or fixing 1. Land use planning is useful.
netting or planting trees
across gullies. These 2. Soil conservation is important.
measures check the 3. Parent rock is important in soil formation.
flood water and thus
cause filling of silt in the Plugging of gullies 4. Crop rotation helps in maintaining fertility of
the soil.
gullies.

Planting of Shelter Belts WATER RESOURCE
Along the coastal regions and arid regions, rows of Water is a unique liquid which has no alternative.
trees are planted to check the wind movement for It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. We use it
protecting soil cover. to serve our various needs. Besides using water for
Land, Soil and Water Resources
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