Statement I : Plantation farming has mostly been practiced in humid tropics Statement I : The soil of humid tropics is highly fertile

Statement I is true as plantation farming is a specialized commercial system primarily located in the humid tropics, specifically between 20°N and 20°S of the equator. Major crops like rubber, cocoa, oil palm, and tea are grown in these regions due to high temperature and abundant rainfall [1]. However, Statement II is false. Soils in the humid tropics, such as red latosols or Oxisols, are generally characterized by low natural fertility [2]. The high rainfall leads to intense leaching, which removes essential base cations and nutrients from the soil profile. While these regions support dense natural vegetation through rapid nutrient cycling, the soils themselves are acidic and nutrient-poor, often requiring heavy fertilizer application for sustained plantation productivity [2]. Therefore, the high productivity of plantations is due to climate and management rather than inherent soil fertility.

Sources

1. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 16: The Tropical Monsoon and Tropical Marine Climate > Agricultural Development in the Monsoon Lands > p. 161
2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 3: Terrestrial Ecosystems > 3.2.5. Tropical rain forests: > p. 25