Question

what is genetic manipulation and how? it is useful in agrculture practice?

Answer 1

Genetic manipulation means to incorporate desired characters in plants by hybridisation, mutation, DNA recombination, polyploidy etc. Use in agricultural practices – By genetic manipulation improved variety of seeds can be developed.

Genetic manipulationis a process where the gene for a particular character is introduced inside the chromosome of a cell. When the gene for a particular character is introduced in a plant cell, a transgenic plant is produced. These transgenic plants exhibit characters governed by the newly introduced gene.

For example, let us assume there is a wild plant that produces small fruits. If the gene responsible for a larger fruit size is introduced in this plant, this plant becomes transgenic, and starts producing larger fruits. Similarly, genes for higher yield, disease resistance, etc. can be introduced in any desired plant.

Therefore, gene manipulation plays an important role in agricultural practices. It helps in improving crop variety. It ensures food security and insect resistant crops. It also improves the quality and yield of crops.