Context:
Delhi Government has initiated the spraying of a Bio-Decomposer to tackle Stubble Burning.
Stubble (parali) Burning
What is it?
- A method of removing paddy crop residues from the field to sow wheat from the last week of September to November (end of southwest monsoon season).
How it is done?
- It is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after the harvesting of grains, like paddy, wheat, etc.
Where it is required?
- It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop residue behind. For Example, North West India (primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh)
What is the major reason behind the stubble burning?
- Short time available between rice harvesting and sowing of wheat as delay in sowing wheat affects the wheat crop.
What are the impacts?
- Emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere.
- Release of harmful gases like methane (CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile Organic compounds (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
- Formation of Smog
- Destroys the nutrients in the soil, making it less fertile.
- Heat generated by burning leads to the loss of moisture and useful microbes.
What can be the alternatives?
- Crop residue management by zero-tiller machine
- Use of bio-decomposers.
- Use of rice straw as cattle fodder.
- Use of Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine, which can uproot the stubble and also sow seeds in the area cleared.
Bio-Decomposer is a concoction of various microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and enzymes that work together to break down the plant material into organic matter that enriches the soil.
PUSA Bio-Decomposer:
- A low-cost microbial bio-enzyme solution
- It accelerates the decomposition of crop residue, including stubble from paddy crops into manure within 15-20 days.
- Developed by – Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Provides additional manure through decomposed stubble, improving the soil quality as well.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture?
1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop.
2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible.
3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
