question_answer 87)

      (a) Mutations are beneficial for plant breeding. Taking an example, justify the statement. (b) Discuss briefly the technology that made us self-sufficient in food production.

Answer:

                      (a) It is possible to induce mutations artificially in plants through use of chemicals or radiations (like gamma radiations), and then selecting and using those plants that have the desirable character as a source in breeding. This process is called mutation breeding. In mung bean, resistance to yellow mosaicvirus and powdery mildew was induced by mutations. (b) Traditional farming can only yield a limited biomass, as food for humans and animals. Better management practices and increase in agricultural land area can increase yield, but only to a limited extent. Plant breeding as a technology has helped increase production to a very large extent. Plant breeding is the purposeful manipulation of plant species in order to create desired plant types that are better suited for cultivation, give better yields and are disease resistant. This technology has given support to green revolution, which was responsible for not merely meeting the national requirements in food production, but also helped us to export it.