Question

Assertion: Quality of soil has degraded after the Green Revolution emerged in India
Reason: Green revolution resulted in increased use of agrochemicals to increase crop production

• A. Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation for the assertion
• B. Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion
• C. Assertion is true but reason is false
• D. Both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation for the assertion

The Green Revolution in the mid 1960s introduced the use of agrochemicals, i.e, chemical fertilisers and pesticides for increasing crop yield.
Increasing use of inorganic chemical pesticides and fertilisers over the years has resulted in degradation of the soil. This is because:

• These toxic chemicals pollute the soil and groundwater by changing the natural composition of the soil, creating pH and nutrient imbalance.
• Pesticides may accumulate in crops and enter the food chain.
• Sometimes pesticide particles sprayed onto the crops remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled, causing respiratory disorders.
• Chemical pesticides also lead to the death of both beneficial and harmful microbes, insects, etc. in the soil ecosystem which is not desirable.

Thus, both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.