Application of plant breeding Questions in English

(A) The phenomenon where the progeny of a cross between two genetically different parents exhibits superior traits, such as increased growth, yield, or fertility compared to the parents, is known as $Heterosis$ or $Hybrid \text{ } vigour$. This occurs due to the accumulation of dominant alleles and the masking of deleterious recessive alleles in the hybrid.

(D) The latest and most sustainable trend in plant disease control is the use of disease-resistant varieties. This approach involves breeding or genetic engineering to develop plant cultivars that can naturally withstand or resist pathogens,thereby reducing the reliance on harmful chemical pesticides and promoting environmentally friendly agriculture.

(D) The Indian Agricultural Research Institute $(IARI)$,New Delhi,has released several vegetable crops that are enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Specifically,Vitamin $C$ enriched vegetables released by $IARI$ include bitter gourd,bathua,mustard,and tomato.
Among the given options,Bathua ($Chenopodium$ $album$) is a well-known crop enriched with Vitamin $C$ released by $IARI$.

(B) According to the $NCERT$ textbook (Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production), the crop varieties resistant to insect pests are as follows:
$1$. For $Brassica$ (Mustard), the variety resistant to Aphids is $Pusa$ $Gaurav$.
$2$. For Flat bean ($Lablab$ $purpureus$), the variety resistant to Jassids, Aphids, and Fruit borer is $Pusa$ $Komal$.
$3$. For Okra $(Bhindi)$, the variety resistant to Shoot and Fruit borer is $Pusa$ $Sawani$.
Therefore, $(a) = Brassica$, $(b) = Pusa$ $Komal$, and $(c) = \text{Fruit borer}$ (or Shoot and Fruit borer). Comparing this with the options, option $B$ is the most accurate.

(C) In plant breeding,specific morphological traits are introduced to confer resistance against pests.
Cotton varieties with smooth leaves and nectarless flowers are known to be resistant to bollworms.
Bollworms are attracted to the nectar and the hairy surfaces of cotton leaves for feeding and egg-laying.
By developing varieties that lack these features,the infestation of bollworms is significantly reduced.

(D) The Indian Agricultural Research Institute $(IARI)$,New Delhi,has developed several vegetable crops that are biofortified.
Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value.
These crops are specifically enriched with vitamins and minerals.
For example,they have released vitamin $A$ enriched carrots,spinach,and pumpkin; vitamin $C$ enriched bitter gourd,bathua,mustard,and tomato; and iron and calcium enriched spinach and bathua.
Therefore,these crops are rich in both vitamins and minerals.

(D) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This can be achieved through selective breeding or genetic engineering. The primary goal is to improve the nutritional quality of food crops,specifically by increasing the content of vitamins,minerals,and proteins to combat hidden hunger.

(B) According to the $NCERT$ textbook for plant breeding for disease resistance and insect pest resistance:
$1$. For the crop Brassica,the variety Pusa Gaurav is resistant to Aphids.
$2$. For the crop Flat bean (Sem),the variety Pusa Komal is resistant to Jassids.
$3$. For the crop Okra (Bhindi),the variety Pusa Sawani is resistant to Shoot and Fruit borer.
Therefore,$a = \text{Brassica}$,$b = \text{Pusa Komal}$,and $c = \text{Shoot and Fruit borer}$.
Comparing this with the given options,option $B$ is the most appropriate match.

(B) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This can be achieved through selective breeding or genetic engineering. The primary goal of biofortification is to improve the public health status of populations by increasing the content of vitamins,proteins,and minerals in staple crops.

(B) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins,minerals,proteins,and healthier fats to improve public health. The primary goal is to address 'hidden hunger' caused by deficiencies in micronutrients. Therefore,biofortified crops are specifically enriched with health-promoting proteins,vitamins,and minerals.

(B) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals,or higher protein and healthier fats.
In $2000$,maize hybrids were developed that had twice the amount of the amino acids Lysine and Tryptophan compared to existing maize hybrids.
Therefore,the correct elements are $(i)$ Lysine and $(iii)$ Tryptophan.

(B) Plant and animal breeding are the purposeful manipulation of plant and animal species to create desired genotypes and phenotypes for human use. Through various breeding methods such as hybridization,selection,and mutation breeding,scientists aim to develop improved varieties that possess desirable traits like high yield,disease resistance,and better nutritional quality. Therefore,the primary objective of these breeding programs is to obtain improved varieties.

(B) The Green Revolution in India was a period of significant agricultural growth.
$Jaya$ and $Ratna$ are high-yielding semi-dwarf varieties of rice $(Oryza sativa)$ developed in India.
These varieties were introduced to increase food production and ensure food security.
Therefore, the correct option is $B$.

(D) Hybrid maize varieties have been developed that contain twice the amount of the essential amino acids,$Lysine$ and $Tryptophan$,compared to existing maize hybrids. This improvement is achieved through the process of $Biofortification$,which aims to enhance the nutritional quality of crops.

(D) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins,minerals,proteins,and healthier fats to improve public health.
Therefore,biofortified crops are specifically developed to have increased concentrations of vitamins,minerals,and essential proteins to combat hidden hunger and malnutrition.
Thus,all the listed components are essential targets for biofortification.

(D) In $2000$,maize hybrids were developed that had twice the amount of the amino acids,Lysine and Tryptophan,compared to existing maize hybrids. These amino acids are essential for human health but are often deficient in cereal crops. Therefore,the correct option is $(D)$.

(A) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals,or higher protein and healthier fats.
In $2000$,maize hybrids that had twice the amount of the amino acids,$Lysine$ and $Tryptophan$,compared to existing maize hybrids were developed.
Therefore,among the given options,$Lysine$ is the correct answer.

(B) : Breeding of crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals or higher protein and healthier fats is called biofortification. This is the most practical approach to improve public health.

(A) The cultivation of hybrid varieties is a key strategy in plant breeding to achieve higher yields. Hybrids often exhibit $heterosis$ or $hybrid \text{ } vigor$, which refers to the superior performance of the hybrid offspring compared to their parents. This results in increased productivity, better quality, and improved resistance to diseases and environmental stresses. Therefore, the cultivation of hybrids has increased productivity.

(D) The variety $Parbhani Kranti$ of $Abelmoschus esculentus$ (bhindi/okra) was developed through the process of mutation breeding or hybridization.
It was specifically bred to provide resistance against the $Yellow mosaic virus$ $(YMV)$.
This resistance was transferred from a wild species of $Abelmoschus$ to the cultivated variety to protect the crop from this viral disease.

(D) In plant breeding for disease and pest resistance, specific biochemical characteristics are often targeted.
Maize $(Zea mays)$ varieties that possess high levels of aspartic acid, along with low nitrogen and sugar content, are known to be resistant to the maize stem borer $(Chilo partellus)$.
This is a classic example of biochemical resistance in plants where the chemical composition of the plant tissue acts as a deterrent to the pest.

(D) The $Indian$ $Agricultural$ $Research$ $Institute$ $(IARI)$,$New$ $Delhi$,has released several vegetable crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Specifically,they have released vitamin-$A$ enriched carrots,spinach,and pumpkin.
Among the given options,spinach and pumpkin are the crops released by $IARI$ that are biofortified with vitamin-$A$ to address nutritional deficiencies.

(B) $Himgiri$ is a well-known disease-resistant variety of wheat developed by plant breeding.
It is resistant to hill bunt and leaf and stripe rust.
$Pusa$ $Komal$ is a variety of cowpea.
$Pusa$ $A-4$ is a variety of okra (bhindi).
$Karan$ $Rai$ is a variety of Brassica (mustard).

(D) Pusa Sem $2$ is a variety of Lablab bean (Dolichos bean) developed through plant breeding techniques.
This variety is specifically bred to be resistant to insect pests,including Jassids,Aphids,and Fruit borers.
Therefore,all the listed insect pests are controlled by this resistant variety.

(A) $Atlas \, 66$ is a well-known biofortified variety of wheat.
It was developed through plant breeding techniques to have high protein content.
Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value,such as higher protein,oil,vitamin,or mineral content.
Therefore,the correct option is $A$.

(C) In the context of plant breeding for disease resistance,the following pairs are standard:
$1$. Wheat - Himgiri (Resistant to leaf and stripe rust).
$2$. Cauliflower - Pusa Shubhra (Resistant to black rot and blight).
$3$. Brassica (Mustard) - Pusa Swarnim (Karan Rai) (Resistant to white rust).
$4$. Chilli - Pusa Sadabahar (Resistant to chilli mosaic virus,tobacco mosaic virus,and leaf curl).
Option $C$ is incorrect because $Pusa$ $Komal$ is a variety of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata),not Brassica. It is resistant to bacterial blight.

(C) Atlas $66$ is a well-known biofortified variety of wheat.
Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value.
Atlas $66$ was developed through plant breeding programs specifically to have high protein content compared to other common wheat varieties.
Therefore,it is rich in protein.

(D) The correct pair is $Pusa \ Komal - Bacterial \ blight$.
$Pusa \ Komal$ is a variety of Cowpea $(Vigna \ unguiculata)$ which is resistant to the disease Bacterial blight.
$Himgiri$ is a variety of Wheat resistant to Hill bunt and Leaf and stripe rust.
$Pusa \ Swarnim$ is a variety of Brassica (Mustard) resistant to White rust.
$Pusa \ Shubra$ is a variety of Cauliflower resistant to Black rot and Curl blight black rot.

(A) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals or higher protein and healthier fats.
According to the $NCERT$ textbook,examples of Vitamin $A$ enriched crops developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute $(IARI)$ include carrots,spinach,and bathua.
Therefore,the correct option is $A$.

(B) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals,or higher protein and healthier fats.
In $2000$,maize hybrids that had twice the amount of the amino acids,$Lysine$ and $Tryptophan$,compared to existing maize hybrids were developed.
These amino acids are essential for human nutrition but are typically deficient in cereal crops.

(C) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals,or higher protein and healthier fats.
Atlas $66$ is a well-known wheat variety that has been used as a donor for developing wheat varieties with high protein content.
Therefore,the correct option is $C$.

(B) According to the $NCERT$ textbook, in the context of plant breeding for disease resistance, the variety of cauliflower developed for resistance to black rot is $Pusa$ $\text{Shubhra}$ and $Pusa$ $\text{Snowball K-1}$. Therefore, there are $2$ varieties of cauliflower mentioned in the context of disease resistance breeding.

(C) In plant breeding for disease and pest resistance,specific varieties are developed to withstand biotic stresses.
For the flat bean (Lablab bean),the variety known as Pusa Sem $2$ and Pusa Sem $3$ has been bred to be resistant against aphids,jassids,and fruit borers.
Therefore,both aphids and jassids are pests against which this variety shows resistance.
Thus,the correct option is $C$.

(C) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins,minerals,proteins,and healthier fats to improve public health.
Therefore,statement $A$ is correct as it describes the goal of biofortification.
Statement $R$ is incorrect because breeding crops (specifically through biofortification) is intended to improve public health by addressing hidden hunger and nutritional deficiencies,not to worsen it.
Thus,the correct option is $C$.

(B) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This can be achieved through selective breeding or genetic engineering to improve the content of vitamins,minerals,proteins,and healthy fats in staple crops to combat hidden hunger.

(D) The phenomenon where the $F_1$ hybrid offspring of two genetically diverse or unrelated parents exhibits superior traits (such as increased growth, yield, or fertility) compared to both parents is known as $Heterosis$ or $Hybrid \text{ } Vigor$. This is a fundamental concept in plant and animal breeding used to improve agricultural productivity.

(C) Bio-fortification is the scientific process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This can be achieved through conventional selective breeding or through genetic engineering. The primary goal is to improve the public health status of populations by increasing the content of essential vitamins,minerals,and proteins in staple crops.

(D) Statement $(1)$ is incorrect: $IARI$ released a mustard variety rich in Vitamin $A$ (not $C$),such as Pusa Gaurav.
Statement $(2)$ is incorrect: Pusa Sawani variety of Okra (Bhindi) is resistant to shoot and fruit borer,not aphids.
Statement $(3)$ is correct: Hairiness of leaves in several plants is associated with resistance to insect pests (e.g.,resistance to jassids in cotton).
Statement $(4)$ is incorrect: While agriculture is vital,it accounts for approximately $33\%$ of India's $GDP$ and employs nearly $62\%$ of the population based on older data,but these specific figures are often cited in historical contexts; however,in the context of standard biology curriculum questions,statement $(3)$ is the only scientifically accurate statement among the choices provided.
Therefore,none of the combinations provided are entirely correct based on the specific facts given.

(N/A) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats.
This method is employed to improve public health by addressing hidden hunger.
Breeding of crops with improved nutritional quality is undertaken to enhance the content of proteins, oil, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients in crops.
It is also used to upgrade the quality of oil and proteins.
An example of this is a wheat variety known as Atlas $66$, which has a high protein content compared to existing wheat varieties.
In addition, there are several other improved varieties of crop plants such as rice, carrots, and spinach that have higher nutritional value and more nutrients than the existing varieties.

(N/A) The five hybrid varieties of crop plants developed in India are as follows:

Crop Plant	Hybrid Variety
Wheat	Sonalika and Kalyan Sona
Rice	Jaya and Ratna
Cauliflower	Pusa Shubhra and Pusa Snowball $K-1$
Cowpea	Pusa Komal
Mustard	Pusa Swarnim

These varieties were developed through plant breeding programs to improve yield,disease resistance,and nutritional quality.

(N/A) India is primarily an agricultural country. Agriculture accounts for approximately $33$ percent of India's $GDP$ and employs nearly $62$ percent of the population.
After India's independence,one of the main challenges facing the country was producing enough food for the increasing population,as only limited land is fit for cultivation.
- India had to strive to increase yields per unit area from existing farmland.
The development of several high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice in the mid-$1960s$,as a result of various plant breeding techniques,led to a dramatic increase in food production in our country. This phase is often referred to as the Green Revolution.
Many hybrid crops of high-yielding varieties are seen in India:
Wheat and Rice: During the period $1960$ to $2000$,wheat production increased from $11$ million tonnes to $75$ million tonnes,while rice production went up from $35$ million tonnes to $89.5$ million tonnes. This was due to the development of semi-dwarf varieties of wheat and rice.
- Nobel laureate Norman $E$. Borlaug,at the International Centre for Wheat and Maize Improvement in Mexico,developed semi-dwarf wheat.
In $1963$,several varieties such as Sonalika and Kalyan Sona,which were high-yielding and disease-resistant,were introduced all over the wheat-growing belt of India.
Semi-dwarf rice varieties were derived from $IR-8$ (developed at the International Rice Research Institute $(IRRI)$,Philippines) and Taichung Native-$1$ (from Taiwan). The derivatives were introduced in $1966$. Later,better-yielding semi-dwarf varieties,Jaya and Ratna,were developed in India.
Sugarcane: $Saccharum$ $barberi$ was originally grown in North India but had poor sugar content and yield. Tropical canes grown in South India,$Saccharum$ $officinarum$,had thicker stems and higher sugar content but did not grow well in North India.

(N/A) More than $840$ million people in the world do not have adequate food to meet their daily food and nutritional requirements.
$A$ far greater number—three billion people—suffer from micronutrient,protein,and vitamin deficiencies or 'hidden hunger' because they cannot afford to buy enough fruits,vegetables,legumes,fish,and meat. Diets lacking essential micronutrients—particularly iron,vitamin-$A$,iodine,and zinc—increase the risk of disease,reduce lifespan,and reduce mental abilities.
Biofortification: Breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals or higher protein and healthier fats is the most practical means to improve public health.
Breeding for improved nutritional quality is undertaken with the objectives of improving:
$(i)$ Protein content and quality
$(ii)$ Oil content and quality
$(iii)$ Vitamin content
$(iv)$ Micronutrient and mineral content
In $2000$,maize hybrids that had twice the amount of the amino acids,Lysine and tryptophan,compared to existing maize hybrids were developed.
Wheat variety,Atlas $66$,having a high protein content,has been used as a donor for improving cultivated wheat.
It has been possible to develop an iron-fortified rice variety containing over five times as much iron as in commonly consumed varieties.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute $(IARI)$,New Delhi,has also released several vegetable crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Examples include vitamin-$A$ enriched carrots,spinach,and pumpkin; vitamin-$C$ enriched bitter gourd,bathua,mustard,and tomato; iron and calcium-enriched spinach and bathua; and protein-enriched beans (broad,lablab,French,and garden peas).

(B) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops with higher levels of vitamins and minerals,or higher protein and healthier fats.
- This approach addresses malnutrition by providing nutrient-dense food to the population.
- Simultaneously,promoting a balanced diet through these biofortified crops helps in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity,diabetes,and cardiovascular issues,which are often linked to poor dietary habits.

(A) The correct matches based on the $NCERT$ textbook for crop varieties are:
$(a)$ Wheat: $(3)$ Himgiri (resistant to leaf and stripe rust).
$(b)$ Mustard: $(4)$ Pusa swarnim (resistant to white rust).
$(c)$ Cauliflower: $(5)$ Pusa shubhra (resistant to black rot and curl blight black rot).
$(d)$ Cowpea: $(1)$ Pusa komal (resistant to bacterial blight).
Therefore, the correct sequence is $a-3, b-4, c-5, d-1$.

(A) The crop variety $Pusa$ $Sadabahar$ is a variety of $Capsicum$ $(Chilli)$ that has been developed through plant breeding techniques to be resistant to the $Chilli$ $mosaic$ $virus$,$Tobacco$ $mosaic$ $virus$,and $Leaf$ $curl$.

(A) $A. esculentus$ is the scientific name for Okra (also known as Lady's finger). In the context of plant breeding,it is a well-known example of a crop variety developed for resistance to yellow mosaic virus,specifically the variety known as $Parbhani Kranti$.

(B) $Pusa$ $Gaurav$ is a variety of $Brassica$ (mustard) developed through plant breeding. It is specifically known for its resistance to aphids. Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(D) The crop variety $Pusa \ Komal$ is a variety of $Cowpea$ $(Vigna \ unguiculata)$.
It has been developed through conventional plant breeding techniques to provide resistance against the disease known as $Bacterial \ blight$.
$Pusa \ Shubhra$ is resistant to black rot,$Himgiri$ is resistant to hill bunt,and $Pusa \ Sadabahar$ is resistant to chilli mosaic virus.

(A) Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This can be achieved through conventional selective breeding or genetic engineering. The primary goal of biofortification is to improve the public health of populations by providing staple crops that are rich in essential vitamins,minerals,proteins,and healthy fats,thereby addressing hidden hunger.

(D) The variety $Atlas-66$ is widely used as a donor for improving wheat crops.
It is specifically known for its high protein content,which is a desirable trait in biofortification programs to improve the nutritional quality of wheat.