Given below are two statements, one labelled Assertion (A) and the other Reason (R). Choose the most appropriate answer.

Assertion (A):Soil pollution due to detergents affects the root growth of plants and depresses the growth of soil micro-organisms.

Reason (R):The presence of detergents in soil makes the soil more acidic.

ABoth A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A

BBoth A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A

CA is correct but R is not correct ✓ Correct

DA is not correct but R is correct

Correct answer: (C) A is correct but R is not correct

Explanation

Detergent soil pollution truly hampers plant root growth and suppresses beneficial soil micro-organisms, so the assertion holds.

The reason claims detergents make soil more acidic, but most detergents are alkaline and tend to raise soil pH instead.

Since detergents shift soil towards basic rather than acidic conditions, the reason is factually wrong.

The assertion stands correct on its own while the reason misstates the chemical effect.

Phosphates and surfactants in detergents disturb nutrient uptake and microbial activity in the soil.

Excess detergent run-off also drives eutrophication when it reaches nearby water bodies.

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