The correct option is A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
Explanation
Crop selection is heavily dependent on soil texture, drainage capabilities, and water retention properties. Different crops have evolved to thrive in specific soil environments.
- Rice (A) - Alluvial clayey soil (3): Rice is a water-intensive crop that requires standing water during its early growth stages. Clayey soils and riverine alluvium are ideal because they possess high water retention capacity and low percolation rates, ensuring the necessary moisture levels.
- Wheat (B) - Well-drained loamy soil (2): Wheat requires cool, moist weather during the growing season and bright sunshine at the time of ripening. It thrives best in well-drained loamy or clay-loam soils, which offer a balance of moisture retention and drainage, preventing waterlogging which is detrimental to the crop.
- Cotton (C) - Black and alluvial soil (4): Cotton is most famously associated with the Black Soil (Regur) of the Deccan Plateau. These soils are known for their self-ploughing nature and high moisture retention, which supports the crop. It also grows well in alluvial soils found in the Satluj-Ganga plain.
- Millets (D) - Sandy soil (1): Millets (Jowar, Bajra, Ragi) are hardy, drought-resistant crops often referred to as coarse grains. They are capable of growing in inferior, less fertile, and sandy soils where moisture availability is low and soil texture is coarse.
Key Takeaway: Rice requires heavy, water-retentive clayey soils; Wheat needs fertile, well-drained loamy soils; Cotton thrives in moisture-retentive black soils; and Millets are adapted to poor, sandy soils.