Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Biotechnology and its Applications

Question:

Read the passage and answer the following questions :

The Green Revolution successfully increased food production by threefold, but it still couldn't meet the demand of the growing human population. The increased yields were primarily attributed to the use of improved crop varieties, better management practices, and the application of agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. However, farmers in the developing world often find agrochemicals too expensive, and further improvements in yield using conventional breeding methods become challenging.To address the limitations of traditional breeding techniques, scientists developed a technology called tissue culture. Tissue culture involves the regeneration of whole plants from small plant parts (explants) that are grown in a controlled environment, such as a test tube, with specific nutrient media. This ability of explants to regenerate into whole plants is known as totipotency. The nutrient medium used in tissue culture contains carbon sources like sucrose, inorganic salts, vitamins, amino acids, and growth regulators like auxins and cytokinins. By utilizing tissue culture techniques, a large number of plants can be propagated rapidly and efficiently, a process known as micro-propagation. These plants are genetically identical to the original plant from which the explants were obtained, making them somaclones. Many important food plants, such as tomato, banana, and apple, have been commercially produced using tissue culture. Another significant application of tissue culture is the recovery of healthy plants from diseased ones. Even if a plant is infected with a virus, the meristem (apical and axillary) regions remain free of the virus. Scientists can remove the virus-free meristem and grow it in vitro to obtain virus-free plants

 

The major limitation faced by farmers in the developing world with regard to agrochemicals is:

Options:

Lack of access to agrochemicals

High cost of agrochemicals

Inefficient use of agrochemicals

Incompatibility of agrochemicals with existing crop varieties

Correct Answer:

High cost of agrochemicals

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) -High cost of agrochemicals

Explanation:

One of the major limitations faced by farmers in the developing world concerning agrochemicals is the high cost associated with these inputs. Agrochemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides, can be expensive for farmers to purchase and apply on their crops. This financial burden can be particularly challenging for small-scale and resource-limited farmers who may struggle to afford these inputs.

The high cost of agrochemicals can lead to several issues for farmers. Firstly, it may limit their ability to access and use these inputs effectively, which can negatively impact crop yields and productivity. Secondly, farmers may resort to using suboptimal or lower quantities of agrochemicals due to cost constraints, leading to inefficient use and potentially reduced effectiveness in pest and disease control or nutrient supply.

Additionally, the high cost of agrochemicals can create dependency on external suppliers and markets, making farmers vulnerable to fluctuations in prices and availability. In some cases, farmers may even face difficulties in obtaining genuine and quality agrochemical products, which could further hamper their agricultural practices.

To address these challenges, various initiatives and programs have been implemented to support farmers in the developing world, including subsidies or financial assistance for the purchase of agrochemicals, promoting sustainable and cost-effective farming practices, and improving access to information and knowledge on proper agrochemical usage.