• Assertion (A) is True: Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides, formerly Vetiveria zizanioides) thrives best in rich, deep, friable, well-drained sandy-loam to loamy soils with adequate moisture holding capacity.
• Reason (R) is True and Explains (A): Loamy soil offers loose physical texture that enables the massive, spongy, aromatic fibrous root network to penetrate vertically deep ($2-3\text{ m}$) into the subsoil. Furthermore, harvesting roots from friable loamy soil allows easy digging and lifting without breakage, preventing significant root and oil loss.
• Conclusion: Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) (Option 1).

Correct option: (1) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

• Evaluation of Statements regarding Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens):
• is Correct: Geranium is one of the most high-value aromatic crops, yielding rose-scented geranium oil prized in perfumery and cosmetics.
• is Incorrect: Geranium is native to the Cape Province of South Africa, not India.
• is Correct: The key sensory and commercial constituents of pure geranium oil are citronellol and geraniol (and their corresponding formate esters).
• is Correct: Commercial geranium crops are propagated vegetatively through semi-hardwood / terminal shoot cuttings ($10-15\text{ cm}$).
• is Incorrect: The essential oil yield is approximately $15-30\text{ kg/ha}$, not 10–15 quintals ($1,000-1,500\text{ kg}$).
• (F) is Incorrect: Geranium is highly sensitive and susceptible to fungal wilt/root rot (Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia).
• Correct Option: Option 3 ((A), (C) and (D) only).

• Medicinal Solanum (Solanum viarum, syn. S. khasianum):
• Cultivated as a primary industrial source of solasodine, a steroidal alkaloid precursor used in the commercial synthesis of steroid hormones (progesterone, cortisone).
• Berry Yield: When cultivated under recommended spacing ($90 \times 60\text{ cm}$), the average commercial yield of fresh spiny berries is approximately $700 - 800\text{ kg/ha}$ (or about $400-500\text{ kg/ha}$ dry berries containing $2.5-3.0\%\text{ solasodine}$).
• Correct Option: Option 3 (700-800 kg/ha).