Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practicing drip irrigation?1.Reduction in weed2.Reduction in soil salinity3.Reduction in soil erosionSelect the correct answer using the code given below

1. A

   1 and 2 only

   Drip irrigation wets only a part of the soil, which reduces weed growth in the dry inter-rows (statement 1). Statement 2 claims a reduction in soil salinity; drip can instead concentrate salts at the wetting-front and does not reliably reclaim saline soils the way leaching with good drainage can. 1 and 2 only is therefore not the key.

2. B

   3 only

   Reduction in soil erosion (statement 3) is a real advantage because water is applied slowly at the root zone rather than as erosive surface flow, but statement 1 is also an advantage. 3 only is incomplete.

3. C

   1 and 3 only

   Drip irrigation reduces weed pressure where the surface stays dry and reduces soil erosion by avoiding flood-style runoff. It is not correctly credited with reducing soil salinity as a general advantage. Statements 1 and 3 only are therefore the official key.

4. D

   None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation

   ‘None of the above is an advantage’ would deny weed control and erosion control, both of which drip irrigation does provide. This option is wrong.

Summary. Official key is (c) 1 and 3 only. Micro-irrigation places water at the plant, so unwatered ground grows fewer weeds and soil is less likely to wash away. Salinity management still needs drainage and leaching fraction; drip is not a salinity-reduction method in the sense statement 2 claims. Fertigation and water saving are further drip benefits not listed here. Statement 2 is the incorrect advantage.