Question

GM crops have increased efficiency of Mineral usage by plants. Explain.

Answer 1

The production of genetically modified (GM) or transgenic plants has several advantages.

(i) Most of the GM crops have been developed for pest resistance, which increases the crop productivity and therefore, reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides.

(ii) Many varieties of GM food crops have been developed, which have enhanced nutritional quality. For example, golden rice is a transgenic variety in rice, which is rich in vitamin A.

(iii) These plants prevent the loss of fertility of soil by increasing the efficiency of mineral usage.

(iv) They are highly tolerant to unfavourable abiotic conditions.

(v) The use of GM crops decreases the post harvesting loss of crops.