Identify the correct sequence of steps in breeding crop plants for disease resistance.
A. Testing and release of New varieties
B. Hybridization of the selected parents
C. Screening germplasm for resistance source
D. Selection and evaluation of hybrids
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → C→B→D→A
Breeding for disease resistance starts by screening germplasm for resistance (C), then hybridising the selected parents (B), then selecting and evaluating the hybrids (D), and finally testing and releasing new varieties (A).
Note: This question is from Chapter 9, Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production, of the pre-rationalised NCERT book. This chapter is not in the present NCERT book (2026-27). The extract below is from the pre-rationalised edition.
NCERT Extract (Pre-rationalised edition, Chapter 9, Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production):
Plant Breeding for Disease Resistance – “… The conventional method of breeding for disease resistance is that of hybridisation and selection. It’s steps are essentially identical to those for breeding for any other agronomic characters such as high yield. The various sequential steps are : screening germplasm for resistance sources, hybridisation of selected parents, selection and evaluation of the hybrids and testing and release of new varieties.”