With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements: 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle. 3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. Organic matter significantly *increases* the water holding capacity of soil, rather than drastically reducing it. It improves soil structure, creating pore spaces that hold water. 2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Soil plays a crucial role in the sulphur cycle. Microorganisms in the soil are essential for processes like mineralization (converting organic sulphur to inorganic forms) and oxidation/reduction of sulphur compounds, making sulphur available for plant uptake. 3. Statement 3 is correct. Irrigation water often contains dissolved salts. In arid and semi-arid regions, where evaporation rates are high, repeated irrigation over a period of time can lead to the accumulation of these salts in the topsoil, causing salinization of agricultural lands.