Question

In plant breeding, for how many growing seasons, new selected lines is tested in farmer’s field

• A. Five growing seasons
• B. Four growing seasons
• C. Three growing seasons
• D. Two growing seasons

Answer 1

The correct option is C Three growing seasons

Plant breeding
Plant breeding is the technique that uses various genetic principles to breed two plants having desired characteristics and produce a hybrid plant that has a combination of the superior characteristics of both the parents.

Testing and release of new varieties
The evaluation of cultivars is performed by growing them in research fields under conditions like ideal fertiliser application and other crop management practises. The cultivars which successfully grow in the research laboratories are now grown in farmer’s fields for at least three growing seasons across different parts of the country representing the various agro climatic zones. The new cultivar is evaluated in comparison to the best available local crop cultivar in terms of quality and cost. Once the cultivar passes all the tests performed, it is released into the market.

Importance of testing
A new plant variety is tested for various traits that can help to adapt the plant in different environmental conditions and produce high yield. It is tested for nutritional quality, quantity of yield, pest resistance, disease resistant and stress or drought resistance.

Final answer
(D) Three growing seasons