Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Subsurface drainage increases the moisture available to the plants, because the root zone is deepened.
Statement II: Subsurface drainage decreases the volume of soil from which roots can take food.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

Subsurface drainage lowers the water table, allowing roots to grow deeper. This increases the volume of soil available for nutrient and water extraction, making crops more resilient to drought.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Subsurface drainage is the practice of removing excess water from the subsoil profile, typically using perforated pipes or tile drains installed below the surface.
Lowering a high water table improves soil aeration and encourages deeper root development.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements:
- Statement I: In poorly drained soils, a high water table restricts root growth to a shallow surface layer. Implementing subsurface drainage lowers the water table, which deepens the aerated root zone. This allows plants to grow deeper root systems, enabling them to access water stored in deeper soil layers during dry periods. Thus, Statement I is correct.
- Statement II: Because subsurface drainage deepens the root zone, roots can expand into a larger volume of soil. This increases the total volume of soil from which plants can extract water and essential nutrients (referred to as "food"). Thus, Statement II is incorrect because it claims the soil volume is decreased.

Step 2: Final Answer:
Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect, corresponding to Option (C).