With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced. 2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming. 3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Statement 1: Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced. This is correct. Micro-irrigation methods like drip irrigation deliver water and fertilizers (fertigation) directly to the plant's root zone, minimizing wastage through runoff or deep percolation, thus reducing nutrient loss.

Statement 2: It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming. This is incorrect. Dry land farming primarily relies on rainfall and moisture conservation techniques, often without irrigation. While micro-irrigation is highly efficient and beneficial in water-scarce regions, it is not the "only" means of irrigation, nor is irrigation always present in dry land farming. The term "only" makes this statement false.

Statement 3: In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked. This is correct. Micro-irrigation significantly improves water use efficiency compared to traditional flood irrigation. By using less water for the same yield, it reduces the overall demand for water, thereby decreasing the rate of groundwater extraction and helping to mitigate the problem of receding groundwater tables.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.