Correct Option
The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Black soils, also known as Regur or Black Cotton soils, are formed from the weathering of basaltic lava rocks. They are renowned for their specific physical properties related to moisture and texture.
Statement 1 is Correct: Black soils are composed of extremely fine, clayey material. This composition gives them a high capacity to hold and retain moisture for long periods, which is beneficial for rainfed crops like cotton and citrus fruits.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: While black soils are fertile, they swell and become highly sticky when wet. This stickiness makes them extremely difficult to plough or work with during the heavy monsoon rains. Therefore, farming activity (tilling) is usually carried out immediately after the first shower or during the pre-monsoon period before the soil becomes too wet.
Statement 3 is Correct: Geographically, black soils are concentrated in the Deccan Trap region. They cover large areas of the Deccan Plateau, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka.
Key Takeaway: Black soils exhibit "self-ploughing" characteristics due to deep cracking during dry periods, but they are difficult to plough when wet due to high stickiness.