What is crop variety improvement ?why is it important
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Answer:
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As we know, weather conditions, soil quality and availability of water are the main factors on which crop yield depends. As weather conditions like drought and flood situation are unpredictable, it is important to have varieties that can grow in adverse climatic conditions. In the same way, varieties that are tolerant to high soil salinity have also been developed. Some of the factors for which crop variety improvement is done are as follows:
High Yield: To increase the productivity of the crop per acre.
Improve Quality: Quality considerations of crop products vary from crop to crop. For instance,
baking quality is important in wheat, protein quality in pulses; oil quality in oilseeds and preserving quality in fruits and vegetables.
Biotic and Abiotic Resistance: Crop production can fall due to biotic and abiotic stresses under different situations. Thus, varieties resistant to these stresses can improve crop production.
Change in Maturity Duration: The shorter the duration of the crop from sowing to harvesting, more economical is the variety. It reduces the cost of crop production and allows the farmers to grow multiple crops in a year.
Wider Adaptability: Developing varieties for wider adaptability helps in stabilising the crop production under different environmental conditions. Also, one variety can then be grown under different climatic conditions in different areas.
Desirable Agronomic Characteristics: Height and profuse branching are desirable characteristics for fodder crops. Dwarfness is desired in cereals such that fewer nutrients are consumed by these crops. Thus, developing varieties of desired agronomic characters also help in higher yield.
Answer:
Thus, varieties resistant to these stresses can improve crop production. Change in Maturity Duration: The shorter the duration of the crop from sowing to harvesting, more economical is the variety. It reduces the cost of crop production and allows the farmers to grow multiple crops in a year.