Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Soil Temperature Regimes (STR) are diagnostic criteria used in Soil Taxonomy to classify soil series based on the mean annual soil temperature (MAST) measured at a depth of 50 cm from the soil surface.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the standard temperature ranges for each diagnostic soil temperature regime:
- (A) MESIC $\rightarrow$ 8$^\circ$C to $<$ 15$^\circ$C (II): Soils in this regime are cool to mild, typical of temperate climates.
- (B) THERMIC $\rightarrow$ 15$^\circ$C to $<$ 22$^\circ$C (I): Soils in this regime are warm, characteristic of warm temperate and Mediterranean climates.
- (C) HYPERTHERMIC $\rightarrow$ 22$^\circ$C to $<$ 28$^\circ$C (IV): These are very warm soils, typical of subtropical and tropical climates.
- (D) MEGHATHERMIC $\rightarrow$ 28$^\circ$C or more (III): These represent extremely hot soils, typical of hot arid and tropical equatorial regions.
Matching these definitions gives:
(A) $\rightarrow$ (II)
(B) $\rightarrow$ (I)
(C) $\rightarrow$ (IV)
(D) $\rightarrow$ (III)
This corresponds to Option (C).
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is (A) - (II), (B) - (I), (C) - (IV), (D) - (III).