Question

If forest area is reduced to half, which one of the following will be long term effect?

• A. The natives (tribals) of that area will die on account of hunger.
• B. Cattles of that area will die due to scarcity of fodder.
• C. The diversity in germplasm will affect the crop breeding.
• D. It will be converted into large desert.

Answer 1

The correct option is C The diversity in germplasm will affect the crop breeding.

Plant breeding is simply applying selection to decrease the frequency of unfavorable alleles (e.g., susceptibility to diseases and insects, susceptibility to drought, and unadaptedness) and increase the frequency of favorable alleles (e.g., increased yield, improved grain quality, and resistance to disease, insects, and environmental stresses). Forests, apparently, are home to more than half of the world's species. If forest area is reduced then genotypic variation between the remaining plants will result in ineffective plant breeding. Since plant breeding will not be possible, breeders will not be able to produce a plant variety having higher yield and quality.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.