Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Ratooning is the agricultural practice of harvesting a monocot crop (like sugarcane) while leaving the roots and lower parts of the plant intact in the soil to produce a subsequent crop.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Statement (I): In India, ratoon crops occupy a large portion of the total sugarcane area, estimated at around $50\%\text{ to }55\%$.
However, due to poor management, lack of fertilizer inputs, and the accumulation of pests and diseases, the productivity of ratoon crops is very low. They contribute only $30\%\text{ to }35\%$ of the total sugarcane production.
Therefore, Statement (I) is true.
- Statement (II): Successful ratooning depends on the crop's ability to regenerate shoots from the underground stubble buds.
Choosing sugarcane varieties with high regeneration and tillering capacities is essential for a productive ratoon crop.
Additionally, sprouting of these stubble buds is temperature-dependent. Warm soil conditions with an optimum temperature of around $27^\circ\text{C}$ promote rapid, uniform sprouting.
Therefore, Statement (II) is also true.
Both statements are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true, corresponding to option (A).