Agricultural Biotechnology: Importance, Applications, and GM Crop Examples

Agricultural biotechnology uses scientific techniques like genetic engineering, CRISPR, and biofortification to improve crop yield, quality, and sustainability. It plays a vital role in ensuring food security, reducing use of fertilizers, and pest resistant crops. Explore its importance, applications, GM crop examples, and exam-relevant details for NEET, CBSE, and paramedical studies.

This Story also Contains

1. What is Agricultural Biotechnology?
2. Importance of Agricultural Biotechnology
3. Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture
4. Major GM Crops and Their Traits
5. Agricultural Biotechnology in NEET, CBSE & Paramedical Exams
6. Agricultural Biotechnology NEET Practice MCQs
7. FAQs on Agricultural Biotechnology

Biotechnology and its application in agriculture have revolutionized farming practices by making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. There are many examples of agricultural biotechnology, such as improving plant and seed quality, improving plant growth and development, improving animal health and breeding, and many more. These advancements promote sustainable agricultural practices for the future.

What is Agricultural Biotechnology?

The term "agriculture biotechnology" means an area of agricultural science that involves the use of different kinds of scientific tools and methods. It includes molecular diagnostics, vaccines, tissue culture, and other ways of modifying living organisms that are known as genetic engineering.

• Agriculture biotechnology helps in improving the development of genetically modified crops with pest-resistant, drought tolerance and higher yield.

• The technology also helps in creating crops which are more resonant to the environment as well as issues such as stress, disease and reducing the use of fertilizers.

• Biotechnology can also enhance the nutritional value of the crops such as bio fortification of the golden rice which is enriched in vitamin A.

• Agriculture biotechnology also plays a very important role in animal husbandry by improving the breeding of animals using genetic engineering.

Importance of Agricultural Biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnologies are of great importance when it comes to the production and health of crops. There are several techniques which are used to exhibit and increase the production of the crop. Some of the major importance of the use of agriculture biotechnology is discussed below:

• Due to the use of agricultural biotechnology, the crops are more tolerant to explain weather conditions such as flooding, drought, heat and climate change.

• By reducing the use of chemical inputs there is increasing production of the crop. This is possible due to agricultural biotechnology.

• Biotechnology in agriculture also helps in the fortification of the crops with essential nutrients addressing malnutrition and improving the quality of the food.

• Genetically modified crops are engineered in such a way that they are resistant to disease and pests which reduces the use of chemical pesticides.

• Due to this there is increasing production of the crops.

Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture

With the emergence of new methods and techniques, the application of biotechnology in agriculture also increased at a very quick pace and contributed in different ways, which are as follows:

Major GM Crops and Their Traits

Genetically modified crops is a much debated topic. Although they are controversial, they have clear and positive benefits. In addition to revolutionizing the way crops are produced, biotechnology provided crops with enhanced pest protection, improving yields with minimal inputs.

Agricultural Biotechnology in NEET, CBSE & Paramedical Exams

During exam preparation, different types of questions about agricultural biotechnology are asked. The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked in different exams.

Agricultural Biotechnology NEET Practice MCQs

Q1. Nematode-specific genes were introduced into the tobacco host plant by using the vector

1. Plasmid

2. Bacteriophage

3. pBR322

4. Agrobacterium

Correct answer: 4) Agrobacterium

Explanation:

Nematode-specific genes were incorporated into tobacco plants via the Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector, a commonly utilized approach in plant genetic modification for introducing pest resistance, like nematodes, or desired traits. The process employs the natural genetic transfer ability of A. tumefaciens, which normally inserts DNA into plant cells through its Ti plasmid. Scientists manipulate this plasmid to contain the relevant nematode genes, allowing for efficient and precise genetic integration into the tobacco genome. This technique is prevalent in the biological sciences to enhance plant defense mechanisms and crop resilience.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Agrobacterium.

Q2. Golden rice is:

1. A variety of rice grown along the yellow river in China

2. Long stored rice having yellow colour tin

3. A transgenic rice having the gene for β – carotene

4. The wild variety of rice with yellow coloured grains

Correct answer: 3) A transgenic rice having the gene for β – carotene

Explanation:

The correct option is (3) transgenic rice carrying the gene for beta-carotene. This rice is popularly known as Golden Rice because of its golden-yellow colour, which is due to the beta-carotene it produces. Golden Rice was designed to combat vitamin A deficiency, a serious health problem in many parts of the world where rice is the staple food. This gene has been placed in Golden Rice, which is intended to enhance nutrition and decrease health issues resulting from vitamin A deficiency.

Hence the correct answer is Option 3) A transgenic rice having the gene for β – carotene.

Q3. In the USA, the first varieties of Bt cotton produced contained one Cry-protein gene_______.

1. Cry I Ac

2. Cry II Ac

3. Cry I Abc

4. Cry II Abc

Correct answer: 1) Cry I Ac

Explanation:

Monsanto's Bollgard cotton was the first to be released in the United States, in 1996. Such Bt cotton produces the Cry 1Ac toxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, which is highly effective for the control of pests such as the tobacco budworm and the pink bollworm. The innovation has greatly reduced the use of chemical insecticides and increased cotton yield. More than one-third of U.S. cotton acreage was sown with Bollgard varieties by the year 2000, indicating widespread acceptance of this innovation in agriculture.

Hence the correct answer is Option 1) Cry I Ac.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture

• Transgenic Animals

• Microbes in Human Welfare

FAQs on Agricultural Biotechnology

Define agricultural biotechnology.

Agricultural biotechnology is a field of agricultural science that uses techniques like genetic engineering, tissue culture and other advanced technologies in agriculture to increase crop yield, improve nutritional value and produce pest resistant crops. It supports sustainable farming practices by reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Give examples of agricultural biotechnology applications.

Agricultural biotechnology has several practical uses in farming and food production. For example, it produces pest resistant genetically modified crops like Bt cotton and crops like Golden Rice which is enriched with vitamin A. It also makes animal breeding better to produce more and quantity of products like milk, or meat.

What are the benefits of agricultural biotechnology?

Agricultural biotechnology has many advantages. It is beneficial for farmers, consumers and the environment. It helps to increase crop yield, makes the crops pests and disease resistant, and makes livestock healthy. It reduces the use of chemicals and hence makes the environment clean.

Which GM crops are widely known in agricultural biotechnology?

Some of the widely known genetically modified crops are Bt cotton, which is pest resistant. Golden Rice is enriched with vitamin A and hence decreases malnutrition. There are several varieties of maize which are disease resistant and produce more yield. They have become popular due to their nutritional benefits and disease resistant properties.