The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
Rice is the staple food crop for a majority of the population in India. It is primarily a tropical crop that thrives in hot and humid climatic conditions.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Rice cultivation requires high humidity and substantial water supply. Ideally, it requires an annual rainfall above 100 cm to sustain the standing water needed during its early growth stages.
- Statement 2 is Correct: While rice naturally grows in high-rainfall areas, it is successfully cultivated in regions of lower rainfall through irrigation. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, as well as parts of Rajasthan, grow rice extensively despite receiving less than 100 cm of rainfall, relying on canal irrigation and tubewells.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Rice is primarily a Kharif crop, not a Rabi crop. It requires high temperatures (above 25°C) and high humidity for growth. It does not thrive in low temperatures, although in some southern states and West Bengal, it is grown in other seasons due to favorable local climatic conditions or irrigation (e.g., Boro rice), but the fundamental requirement remains high heat, not low temperature.
Key Takeaway:
Rice is a Kharif crop requiring high heat (above 25°C) and high rainfall (above 100 cm), but it can be cultivated in low-rainfall zones using irrigation.