Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (B) — 1, 2 and 4
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedStatement 1 is correct: Permaculture encourages polyculture, agroforestry, and biodiversity, whereas conventional chemical farming heavily relies on large-scale monoculture.
Statement 2 is correct: Excessive synthetic fertilizers and poor drainage in conventional farming lead to secondary salinization, whereas permaculture restores soil structure and organic matter, preventing salinity buildup.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Permaculture techniques (e.g., swales, water harvesting, deep mulching, hardy species) are highly suited and effective in semi-arid and arid regions, whereas chemical farming often depletes water tables and degrades soil in dry areas.
Statement 4 is correct: Mulching is an indispensable core practice in permaculture to conserve moisture, prevent erosion, and add organic nutrients, whereas it is not standard in conventional chemical monoculture.
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