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UPSC Prelims 2011 · Agriculture · Soils
Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?
- (a) It greatly increases the crop production.
- (b) It makes some soils impermeable.
- (c) It raises the water table.
- (d) It fills the air spaces in the soil with water.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) It makes some soils impermeable.
Salt build-up (especially sodium) breaks down soil structure and can make some soils impermeable — “usar” land.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Salt reduces crop yields.
(c) Waterlogging raises the water table; salinisation is its after-effect, not a cause of it.
(d) Salts don’t fill the pores with water.
The trap
Waterlogging and salinisation go together, so (c) tempts.
🔒 Canal-irrigated Punjab/Haryana/UP: waterlogging + salinity (reh, kallar). Fix: gypsum, drainage.