Correct Answer: Option B) 1 & 3
Statement 1: Sugarcane is both a tropical and subtropical crop - This is correct. Sugarcane thrives in tropical regions with high temperatures and humidity, but it can also be successfully grown in subtropical areas. In India, it's cultivated across different climatic zones from tropical states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to subtropical regions like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Statement 2: Sugarcane can be grown only on black soils of the Deccan plateau - This is Incorrect. While sugarcane does grow well on the black cotton soils (regur soils) of the Deccan plateau, it's not limited to these soils alone. Sugarcane can be cultivated on various soil types including:
Alluvial soils (found in Uttar Pradesh, the largest sugarcane producing state)
Red soils
Laterite soils
Well-drained loamy soils
Statement 3: India is the second largest sugarcane producer globally - This is correct. India is indeed the world's second-largest producer of sugarcane after Brazil. Major sugarcane-producing states in India include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
