Consider the following statements:
I. Black soil helps the rain-fed crops to sustain during the dry season.
II. Black soil can retain moisture for a very long time.
Which one of the following is true about the statements given above?

Black soil, also known as Regur soil, is characterized by its high clay content, which gives it an exceptional capacity to retain moisture for long periods. This property is vital for rain-fed crops (like cotton, pulses, and oilseeds) because the soil acts as a reservoir, providing necessary hydration to the plants even during the dry season when rainfall is absent. While the surface develops deep cracks when dry (a phenomenon called 'self-ploughing'), the sub-soil remains moist. Therefore, Statement II directly explains why Statement I is possible, making option A the correct choice.