Answer:
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:
(a) High Yield: To increase the productivity of the crop per acre.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
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