Question

Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Short duration crops and varieties with deep root system are mostly suitable in dry areas.
Reason (R) : Safflower and chickpea are more efficient crops than rainfed wheat.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Drought escape mechanisms: Short duration early maturity. Drought avoidance mechanisms: Deep tap root system (e.g., Safflower).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question tests dryland agriculture concepts regarding crop adaptation mechanisms under water-stressed environments.

Step 2: Alysis of Assertion (A):

• Short duration crops escape termil drought, while deep root systems allow crops to extract moisture stored in deeper soil layers during prolonged dry spells.

• Therefore, short-duration and deep-rooted varieties are best suited for dryland farming.

• Hence, Assertion (A) is correct.

Step 3: Alysis of Reason (R):

• Safflower (possessing a deep taproot penetrating up to 2 meters) and Chickpea are highly drought-tolerant, water-use-efficient crops compared to rainfed wheat.

• Thus, Reason (R) is a correct statement of fact.

• However, statement (R) serves as a specific crop example rather than providing the underlying physiological explation of why short duration and deep rooting function as general drought adaptation mechanisms in dry areas.

• Therefore, (R) is NOT the correct explation of (A).

Step 4: Fil Answer:
Both (A) and (R) are correct statements, but (R) is NOT the correct explation of (A). Thus, option (B) is correct.