Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created?
- To enable them to withstand drought
- To increase the nutritive value of the produce
- To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations
- To increase their shelf life
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants that have undergone genetic engineering techniques in agriculture to modify their DNA.
Advantages of genetically engineered plants include:
- Increased resistance to insects, resulting in a decrease in crop loss.
- Enhanced nutritive value of the produce.
- Tolerance to herbicides and viruses, reducing the need for harmful pesticides.
- Greater resistance to adverse environmental conditions such as cold, heat, drought, and salinity, making them drought-resistant.
- Suitable for growth in limited environmental conditions, such as those found in space stations.
- Extended shelf life of perishable produce due to delayed senescence, fruit ripening, and spoilage.
- Enhanced tolerance to diseases and stress, such as drought, heat, cold, salt, and low nutrient availability.
- Increased biomass and seed yields.