Question

The greatest threat to loss of genetic diversity of agricultural crop plants is?

• A. Introduction of high yielding varieties
• B. Use of biopesticides
• C. Habitat destruction
• D. Competition with introduced species

Answer 1

The correct option is A Introduction of high yielding varieties

Loss of genetic diversity (genetic erosion), including the loss of individual genes or particular combinations of genes, and loss of varieties and crops occur rapidly in crops mainly because of replacement of traditional landraces by modern, high-yielding cultivars, natural catastrophes, and large-scale destruction and modification of natural habitats harboring wild species. Genetic erosion occurs mostly due to their neglect and often replacement with commercial or non-food crops. It has declined mainly due to poor yield, unavailability of improved cultivars, and policy shift that focuses on high yielding varieties. Considerable variation exists for biotic and abiotic stresses, and for quality and agronomic traits for improvement. The entire diversity of agricultural crops has been captured in the form of core, and mini core collections and is being used in genetic and genomic studies for identification of new sources of variation.

So, the correct option is 'introduction of high yielding varieties'.