Key words: biotechnology, climate change, ethanol, biofuel, greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural productivity, transgenic crops. Embryo rescue is often used to facilitate “wide crossing” by producing whole plants from embryos that are the result of crossing two plants that would not normally produce offspring. Bio-fertilizers and Bio-pesticides are eco-friendly sources for agriculture, which contains the living microorganisms that help in promoting growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients. The role of biotechnology in agriculture is multifaceted. Researchers have noticed that plants with high tolerance to salt stress possess naturally high levels of a substance called glycinebetaine. Modern agricultural biotechnology includes a range of tools that scientists employ to understand and manipulate the genetic make-up of organisms for use in the production or processing of agricultural products. In terms of improved weed control, herbicide-tolerant soybeans, cotton, and corn enable the use of reduced-risk herbicides that break down more quickly in soil and are non-toxic to wildlife and humans. Ans. 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. Biotechnology in agriculture is used to improve plants using genetic engineering and plant tissue culture. Viral infections spread by insects are often difficult to contain, and also the use of insecticides tend to pose a threat to both soil and quality of produce. There is more to agricultural biotechnology than just fighting disease or improving food quality. Also, it helps in keeping the yield fresh for longer. 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. This reduces crop loss due to pests or drought. Pro Lite, Vedantu For example, resistance to antibiotics, resistance to insecticide, growth of superweed and loss of biodiversity are among the many fears that relate to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. It does not just help to increase productivity but also improves the quality of crop production. For example, with Bt engineered into a cotton crop, the entire crop is resistant to certain pests, not just the part of the plant to which Bt insecticide has been applied. Test Your Knowledge: Find out why toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis is not toxic to itself. The process of testing for suspected genetic defects before administering treatment is called genetic diagnosis by genetic testing. Although the green revolutiontripled the food supply worldwide, it was still not enough for the growing population. 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. This is also known as rDNA technology; it produces transgenic organisms. Biotechnology in agriculture has changed the face of this condition. bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, animal cells, plant cells etc. Role of biotechnology – Crop modification. It is extensively used in fields like agriculture, medicine, and genetic engineering to enhance the value of living things. There are some purely aesthetic applications, and an example of this is the use of gene identification and transfer techniques to improve the color, smell, size, and other features of flowers. Biotechnology innovations include seed breeding techniques and tools to modify organisms to affect yield, size, or color. 3. Between the 1930s and 1960s, there was a tremendous increase in food production worldwide, due to the Green Revolution. • What is biotechnology • Biotechnology and sustainability • Status of modern aquaculture • Genetic resources in aquaculture: the interplay between farming and conservation’ • What is sustainable agriculture and sustainable agriculture • Agriculture Biomass • Waste and Wealth • Crop Adaptation • Role of Researchers and research All of these tend to increase productivity in agriculture and protect crops from damage or infestation. Nonetheless, genetically modified plants are less susceptible to viral infection and make it easier for farmers to contain crop damage. 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