Correct Answer: Option A) 1 & 3
Statement 1: They are infertile due to high salt content. - True. Saline soils contain excess soluble salts, particularly sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and other sodium, calcium, and magnesium salts. The high concentration of these salts makes it difficult for plants to absorb water and nutrients through osmosis, leading to reduced crop yields and infertility.
Statement 2: They are more widespread in Rajasthan than Gujarat. - False. This statement is incorrect. Gujarat actually has more widespread saline soil problems than Rajasthan, particularly in the coastal regions and in the Rann of Kutch area. Gujarat faces significant issues with soil salinity due to seawater intrusion, irrigation with brackish water, and poor drainage conditions.
Statement 3: Gypsum is used to reduce soil salinity in Punjab and Haryana. - True. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is indeed widely used as a soil amendment to reclaim saline-sodic soils, particularly in agricultural regions of Punjab and Haryana. It works by replacing sodium ions with calcium ions in the soil, which improves soil structure and allows sodium to be leached away through irrigation. This process is called chemical amelioration and is an effective method to reduce soil salinity.
