How biotechnology can be used to answer some agricultural issues?
Biotechnology is being used to address problems in all areas of agricultural production and processing. This includes plant breeding to raise and stabilize yields; to improve resistance to pests, diseases and abiotic stresses such as drought and cold; and to enhance the nutritional content of foods.
How is the use of biotechnology in agriculture beneficial to the environment?
Biotech crops contribute significantly to reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices – mainly from less fuel use and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage.
Which examples are of biotechnology in agriculture?
5 Examples of Biotechnology in AgricultureGenetically Modified Crops.Developing of Biofuels.Improving Plant Growth.Improving Plant Seed Quality.Improve Animal Health and Breeding.Learn More at Fruit Growers Supply.
How has biotechnology improved farming and modern agriculture?
Biotechnology has been hailed as one technology when incorporated into other practices can improve agricultural production. In addition to agronomic traits, biotech crops have also resulted in environmental benefits, which include reduction in pesticide usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
Q1. What is Biotechnology?
It is the use of scientific techniques and principles to improve and modify plants, animals, and organisms. It is extensively used in fields like a…
Q2. What is the Importance of Biotechnology in Crop Improvement?
Importance of biotechnology in crop improvement is multifaceted. It does not just help to increase productivity but also improves the quality of cr…
Q3. What are the Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture?
Biotechnology in agriculture has found application in rDNA technology, tissue culture, somatic hybridization, embryo rescue, molecular diagnostics,…
Q4. How will Biotechnology in Agriculture – Applications, Important Role, and FAQ by Vedantu help me…
Biotechnology is an emerging field and it is considered to be the future. The same has been extended in agriculture. Therefore this topic is very w…
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What is Agricultural Biotechnology?
Agricultural biotechnology can be defined as a sector of agriculture and biotechnology, which uses advanced biological techniques like genetic engineering for enhanced crop production. It involves the use of techniques like gene manipulation and tissue culture to bring desired changes in plant variety.
History of Agricultural Biotechnology
Human beings learned agriculture around 10,000 B.C. With time we started to domesticate various kinds of plants. Selective breeding led to the development of a new modified variety of plants. We learned to improve our productivity with the help of agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides around the 1930s.
How are Genetically Modified Plants Produced?
Genetic modification of crops involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism. Production of a GM plant involves adding a specific stretch of DNA into the plant’s genome, giving it new or different characteristics, and the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants.
Benefits of Biotechnology in Agriculture
Increased crop productivity: Since GM crops are resistant to pests and diseases, the loss is minimized. As a result, yield increases by nearly 3 folds. Some plants are developed to use water and minerals efficiently in a dry climate as well. As a result, GM crops show better productivity.
Risks and Drawbacks Associated with the Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture
Potential health risks: Consumption of GM crops can change the metabolism, growth rate, and response to external environmental factors.
Application of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Agriculture
Biofertilizers and biopesticides: Biofertilizers and biopesticides are eco-friendly alternatives to agrochemicals, and they do not harm the environment. Biofertilizers enrich soil nutrients naturally by adding algae and bacteria like rhizobium.
Summary
Transgenic crops and biotechnology have been proven to be a boon. The techniques can be used to improve the quality, quantity and even help in the production of the resistant plant. Several successful plant varieties have been developed, like Bt cotton, which is pest resistant; golden rice is an example of a vitamin-rich plant.
What is biotechnology used for?
Biotechnology has a significant application in pharmacogenomics, genetic testing, serological tests, and genetic therapy. It has developed certain feed additives or enzymes like prebiotics, single-cell protein, etc. provided as nutrients for animals.
How does biotechnology help in the development of new varieties?
Biotechnology is playing a key role in the generation of new varieties with the change in color, scent, size, and flower through gene manipulation technique . Through biotechnological approaches such as tissue culture and micropropagation techniques, polyploidy induction, mutation, breeding, and genetic engineering.
How does biotechnology improve productivity?
So, biotechnology helps to increase productivity and efficiency with the use of the above techniques. Thus, most of the use of these biotech tools have the potential to improve the livelihoods of people living in areas who are depending mainly on agriculture. 1.
What is micropropagation in plant culture?
Micropropagation is one of the tools of tissue culture, used to increase the growing stock of required plant material rapidly. The propagated plants are generally disease resistant. It is an advanced Vegetative Propagation Technology.
Why is micropropagation important?
Micropropagation can be used commercially for asexual propagation to produce a large number of the same plant with the same genetic makeup from small pieces of plant tissues. The technique is useful for seed production in certain crops as genetic conservation is highly important during the seed production processes.
What is the purpose of bio fertilizer?
A bio-fertilizer is a substance that contains living organisms that, when applied to seed, plant, surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plants and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plants.
Why is biotechnology important?
Today, biotechnology is biology’s fastest-growing discipline prompted by the ever-increasing demand for food and fuel in a cleaner and greener environment. In general, biotechnology encompasses a broad range of technologies and applications to produce useful living products and services. The integration of biotechnology into the field of agriculture makes the better use of limited resources, increases production, and reduces the use of pesticides and insecticides on crops. Agricultural biotechnology is a field of agricultural science that uses cell and molecular biology tools to improve genetic makeup and agronomic management of crops and animals.
How do molecular markers help in genetic conservation?
The use of molecular markers to measure the extent of variation at the genetic level, within and among populations , is of value in guiding genetic conservation activities and in the development of breeding populations in crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. Studies carried out using these technologies in fish and forest tree species have revealed high levels of genetic variation both among and within populations. Livestock species are characterized by a high degree of genetic variation within populations, whereas crops exhibit a higher degree of variation across species. Data from other approaches, for example field observation, often cannot provide such information or are extremely difficult to collect.
How are molecular markers used?
Molecular markers have been widely used for identifying genotypes and for “genetic fingerprinting” of organisms . Genetic fingerprinting has been used in advanced tree-breeding programmes in which the correct identification of clones for large-scale propagation programmes is essential. Molecular markers have been used to identify endangered marine species that are either inadvertently captured in wild fisheries or that are purposefully taken illegally. Genotype verification is used intensively in parentage testing of domestic animals and for tracing livestock products in the food chain back to the farm and animal of origin.
How are genetic linkage maps used?
Genetic linkage maps can be used to locate and select for genes affecting traits of economic importance in plants or animals. The potential benefits of marker-assisted selection (MAS) are greatest for traits that are controlled by many genes, such as fruit yield, wood quality, disease resistance, milk and meat production, or body fat, and that are difficult, time-consuming or expensive to measure. Markers can also be used to increase the speed or efficiency of introducing new genes from one population to another, for example when wishing to introduce genes from wild relatives into modern plant varieties. When the desired trait is found within the same species (such as two varieties of millet – Box 6), it may be transferred with traditional breeding methods, with molecular markers being used to track the desired gene.
What is in vitro selection?
In vitro selection refers to the selection of germplasm by applying specific selection pressure to tissue culture under laboratory conditions. Many recent publications have reported useful correlations between in vitro responses and the expression of desirable field traits for crop plants, most commonly disease resistance. Positive results are available also for tolerance to herbicides, metals, salt and low temperatures. For the selection criteria of major general importance in forest trees (in particular vigour, stem form and wood quality), poor correlations with field responses still limit the usefulness of in vitro selection. However, this method may be of interest in forestry programmes for screening disease resistance and tolerance to salt, frost and drought.
How does micropropagation work?
Micropropagation involves taking small sections of plant tissue, or entire structures such as buds, and culturing them under artificial conditions to regenerate complete plants. Micropropagation is particularly useful for maintaining valuable plants, breeding otherwise difficult-to-breed species (e.g. many trees), speeding up plant breeding and providing abundant plant material for research. For crop and horticultural species, micropropagation is now the basis of a large commercial industry involving hundreds of laboratories around the world. In addition to its rapid propagation advantages, micropropagation can also be used to generate disease-free planting material (Box 7), especially if combined with the use of disease-detection diagnostic kits. There have been some attempts to use micropropagation more widely in forestry. Compared with vegetative propagation through cuttings, the higher multiplication rates available through micropropagation offer a more rapid dissemination of planting stock, although limited availability of desirable clones is an impediment to its wider adoption in forestry.
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology can be defined as the discipline of applying biological processes to produce and manufacture products used in various facets of human life. Modern biotechnology typically considers the natural processes of DNA replication, breakage, ligation, and repair. These have provided a better understanding of the mechanics …
How can artificial intelligence help agriculture?
Artificial Intelligence could help the agriculture industry meet increasing food demands. Leaf litter converted to biochar could reduce N20 emissions from vegetable fields. An analysis of the effects GM crops have on agriculture. The use of natural hydrogels in food and agriculture practices.
What are the two factions of animal biotech?
The study discussed how the field of animal biotech has separated into two factions; the production of animals for meat or milk and the creation of animals that produce biomedically useful proteins in their blood or milk .
Why is biotechnology important?
Modern biotechnology represents unique applications of science that can be used for the betterment of society through development of crops with improved nutritional quality, resistance to pests and diseases, and reduced cost of production. Biotechnology, in the form of genetic engineering, is a facet of science that has the potential to provide important benefits if used carefully and ethically. Society should be provided with a balanced view of the fundamentals of biotechnology and genetic engineering, the processes used in developing transgenic organisms, the types of genetic material used, and the benefits and risks of the new technology.
How has biotechnology improved crop productivity?
Biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing such qualities as disease resistance and increased drought tolerance to the crops. Now, researchers can select genes for disease resistancefrom other species and transfer them to important crops. For example, researchers from the University of Hawaii and Cornell University developed two varieties of papaya resistant to papaya ringspot virus by transferring one of the virus’ genes to papaya to create resistance in the plants. Seeds of the two varieties, named ‘SunUp’ and ‘Rainbow’, have been distributed under licensing agreements to papaya growers since 1998. Further examples come from dry climates, where crops must use water as eciently as possible. Genes from naturally drought-resistant plants can be used to increase drought tolerance in many crop varieties.
How does genetic engineering help?
Genetic engineering can result in improved keeping properties to make transport of fresh produce easier, giving consumersaccess to nutritionally valuable whole foods and preventing decay, damage, and loss of nutri•ents. Transgenic tomatoes with delayed softening can be vine-ripened and still be shipped without bruising. Research is under way to make similar modifications to broccoli, celery, carrots, melons, and raspberry. The shelf life of some processed foods such as peanuts has also been improved by using ingredients that have had their fatty acid profile modified.
What was the first food product derived from genetic engineering?
The first food product resulting from genetic engineering technology to receive regulatory approval, in 1990, was chymosin, an enzyme produced by genetically engineered bacteria. It replaces calf rennet in cheese-makingand is now used in 60 percent of all cheese manufactured. Its benefits include increased purity, a reliable supply,a 50 percent cost reduction, and high cheese yield eciency.
Why do farmers use crop protection?
Farmers use crop-protection technologies because they provide cost-effective solutions to pest problems which, if left uncontrolled, would severely lower yields. As mentioned above, crops such as corn, cotton, and potato have been successfully transformed through genetic engineering to make a protein that kills certain insects when they feed on the plants. The protein is from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which has been used for decades as the active ingredient of some “natural” insecticides. In some cases, an effective transgenic crop-protection technology can control pests better and more cheaply than existing technologies. For example, with Bt engineered into a corn crop, the entire crop is resistant to certain pests, not just the part of the plant to which Bt insecticide has been applied.
What are the benefits of genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering has allowed new options for improving the nutritional value, flavor, and texture of foods. Transgenic crops in development include soybeans with higher protein content, potatoes with more nutritionally available starch and an improved amino acid content, beans with more essential amino acids, and rice with the ability produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, to help prevent blindness in people who have nutritionally inadequate diets.
How can biotechnology be used for medicinal purposes?
It is easy to see how biotechnology can be used for medicinal purposes. Knowledge of the genetic makeup of our species, the genetic basis of heritable diseases, and the invention of technology to manipulate and fix mutant genes provides methods to treat disease s. Biotechnology in agriculture can enhance resistance to disease, pests, …
Why are genetically engineered crops important?
Because foreign genes can spread to other species in the environment, particularly in the pollen and seeds of plants , extensive testing is required to ensure ecological stability. Staples like corn, potatoes, and tomatoes were the first crop plants to be genetically engineered.
How does Agrobacterium tumefaciens transform plants?
In plants, tumors caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens occur by transfer of DNA from the bacterium to the plant. The artificial introduction of DNA into plant cells is more challenging than in animal cells because of the thick plant cell wall.
Why are transgenic plants and other GMOs closely monitored by government agencies?
Because they contain unique combinations of genes and are not restricted to the laboratory, transgenic plants and other GMOs are closely monitored by government agencies to ensure that they are fit for human consumption and do not endanger other plant and animal life.
Why are fungal cells genetically modified?
The fungal cells have typically been genetically modified to improve the yields of the antibiotic compound. Recombinant DNA technology was used to produce large-scale quantities of the human hormone insulin in E. coli as early as 1978.
Why are plants important to humans?
Manipulating the DNA of plants (creating genetically modified organisms, or GMOs) has helped to create desirable traits such as disease resistance, herbicide, and pest resistance, better nutritional value, and better shelf life ( Figure 10.10 ). Plants are the most important source of food for the human population.
How are antibiotics produced?
Antibiotics are produced on a large scale by cultivating and manipulating fungal cells. The fungal cells have typically been genetically modified to improve the yields of the antibiotic compound.
How is biotechnology used to create animals?
Biotechnology can be used to create animals with more lean muscle mass, increased growth rates, reduced environmental impact, and increased resistance to disease. Genetically modified squash.
What is the lesson of biotechnology?
Lesson Summary. Biotechnology is where we use non-human organisms to complete human tasks, or achieve human goals. Agriculture has a particularly long history in biotechnology, starting with selective breeding thousands of years ago.
What is the process of cloning and transgenics?
Modern biotechnology goes beyond selective breeding, and includes transgenics (the transfer of a gene from one organism to another) and cloning, where scientists produce multiple genetically identical copies of an animal with desirable traits.
How is biotechnology based on genetics?
Modern animal biotechnology is based on genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is a modification of an organism’s characteristics by adjusting its genetic material. This can be done by old-fashioned breeding, transgenics, or by cloning. Transgenics is the transfer of a gene from one organism to another. And cloning is where scientists produce multiple genetically identical copies of the same organism, or part of an organism (like a cell or gene). This is done when an animal or plant is found to have a lot of desirable traits.
What is the transfer of a gene from one organism to another?
Transgenics is the transfer of a gene from one organism to another. And cloning is where scientists produce multiple genetically identical copies of the same organism, or part of an organism (like a cell or gene). This is done when an animal or plant is found to have a lot of desirable traits.
How will genetically engineered organisms affect the local ecosystems?
There are concerns about how genetically engineered organisms will affect the local ecosystems. By producing new organisms to compete with the old ones, the genetically engineered species could out compete natural ones and drive them into extinction.
What does biotechnology sound like?
Biotechnology sounds like the kind of shady science that creates super-villains — the next monster to challenge your favorite comic book superhero. It sounds like the kind of thing that should be carefully watched and feared. But it isn’t always like that.
What Is Agricultural Biotechnology?
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Agricultural biotechnology can be defined as a sector of agriculture and biotechnology, which uses advanced biological techniques like genetic engineering for enhanced crop production. It involves the use of techniques like gene manipulation and tissue culture to bring desired changes in plant variety. Fig: Agricultural biotechnology
History of Agricultural Biotechnology
-
Human beings learned agriculture around 10,000 B.C. With time we started to domesticate various kinds of plants. Selective breeding led to the development of a new modified variety of plants. We learned to improve our productivity with the help of agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides around the 1930s. In the 1960s, the green revolution was brought about worldwide. A…
How Are Genetically Modified Plants produced?
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Genetic modification of crops involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism. Production of a GM plant involves adding a specific stretch of DNA into the plant’s genome, giving it new or different characteristics, and the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants. The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA with the required set of cha…
Benefits of Biotechnology in Agriculture
- Increased crop productivity:Since GM crops are resistant to pests and diseases, the loss is minimized. As a result, yield increases by nearly 3 folds. Some plants are developed to use water and min…
- Enhanced crop protection:GM crops resistant to pests, weeds, disease, and various environmental stress like drought, cold, salinity, etc. reduced loss of crop due to resistance b…
- Increased crop productivity:Since GM crops are resistant to pests and diseases, the loss is minimized. As a result, yield increases by nearly 3 folds. Some plants are developed to use water and min…
- Enhanced crop protection:GM crops resistant to pests, weeds, disease, and various environmental stress like drought, cold, salinity, etc. reduced loss of crop due to resistance brings food security…
- Improved nutritional value:The GM plants are produced with enhanced nutritional content, which benefits the population and helps to meet nutrient requirements.
- Better flavour:Transgenic plants also produce improved taste, texture, and appearance of food.
Risks and Drawbacks Associated with The Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture
- Potential health risks: Consumption of GM crops can change the metabolism, growth rate, and response to external environmental factors.
- Potential allergens: People with food allergies have an unusual immune reaction when they are exposed to specific proteins, called allergens, in food. Genetic modification may lead to an increased…
- Potential health risks: Consumption of GM crops can change the metabolism, growth rate, and response to external environmental factors.
- Potential allergens: People with food allergies have an unusual immune reaction when they are exposed to specific proteins, called allergens, in food. Genetic modification may lead to an increased…
- Antibiotic resistance: Consumption of GM food may transfer antibiotic-resistant genes to the gut.
- Unintended Impacts on Other Species: It is observed that the addition of a new gene may cause an impact on other herbivores or insects and may reduce the population of some species, ultimately lead…
Application of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Agriculture
- Biofertilizers and biopesticides: Biofertilizers and biopesticides are eco-friendly alternatives to agrochemicals, and they do not harm the environment. Biofertilizers enrich soil nutrients natural…
- Molecular breeding:This is better than genetic modification and gives better eco-friendly results in less time. Improved varieties producedby this method are not subjected to any trial…
- Biofertilizers and biopesticides: Biofertilizers and biopesticides are eco-friendly alternatives to agrochemicals, and they do not harm the environment. Biofertilizers enrich soil nutrients natural…
- Molecular breeding:This is better than genetic modification and gives better eco-friendly results in less time. Improved varieties producedby this method are not subjected to any trials and can be…
- Production of biofuel from agricultural wastes: After harvesting crops, remaining agricultural wastes become a huge problem for the farmers. Agricultural wastes take space and cause pollution. With…
- Tissue culture and Micropropagation: This technique helps to produce a large number of pla…
Summary
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Transgenic crops and biotechnology have been proven to be a boon. The techniques can be used to improve the quality, quantity and even help in the production of the resistant plant. Several successful plant varieties have been developed, like Btcotton, which is pest resistant; golden rice is an example of a vitamin-rich plant. Every good thing has a price. Similarly, agricultural biotech…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Biotechnology in Agriculture
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Q.1. What does agriculture mean? Ans:Agriculture is an age-old practice of cultivating plants or livestock on a large scale. Q.2. What is the green revolution? Ans:Green revolution refers to the great increase in crop production in the 1960s. It was achieved due to the efforts of scientists like Sir Norman Borlogue and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. Q.3. What are some of the examples of GM pla…
Genetically Modified Crops
Developing of Biofuels
Improving Plant Growth
Improving Plant Seed Quality
Improve Animal Health and Breeding
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Another great example of biotechnology in agricultureis improving animal health and breeding. Biotechnology is now being used in livestock production, which allows the animals to grow faster with less food for better meat quality. It can even be used for cloning. Animals that are resistant to diseases can also be bred using biotechnology. By using …