Vedadots
Q80·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2020

Uses of Biochar in Farming

EnvironmentEconomic & Agricultural GeographyStatement-basedMediumCurrent-affairs-linked

Question

What is the use of biochar in farming? Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1.

    Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.

  2. 2.

    When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

  3. 3.

    When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for longer time.

Options

a

1 and 2 only

b

2 only

c

1 and 3 only

d

1, 2 and 3

Answer

Explanation

Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich form of charcoal produced from biomass. It is increasingly used as an amendment in growing mediums, including in vertical farming setups (Statement 1 is correct). Its highly porous structure acts as a safe habitat for beneficial soil microbes, explicitly promoting the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (Statement 2 is correct). The same porous structure drastically increases the water-holding capacity of the soil or growing medium, reducing irrigation needs (Statement 3 is correct). > One-line conceptual takeaway: Biochar acts as a highly porous sponge in soil, simultaneously retaining moisture, sheltering beneficial microbes, and sequestering carbon. Answer: (d).

Question details

Year

2020

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q80

Subject

Environment

Sub-topic

Economic & Agricultural Geography

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Current-affairs-linked

Source hint

Sustainable agriculture / Carbon sequestration

Same sub-topic — other years

Economic & Agricultural Geography has appeared in multiple papers:

See all questions on Economic & Agricultural Geography

Browse every tagged question across all years

Explore →