Biology

Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production

Question:

Briefly describe various steps involved in plant breeding.

Answer:

Plant breeding is a purposeful manipulation of plant species in order to create desired plant types that are better suited for cultivation, give better yields and are disease resistant. The given flow chart shows various steps involved in plant breeding.

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Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production

Q 1.

In animal husbandry, if two closely related animals are mated for a few generations, it results in loss of fertility and vigour. Why is this so?

Q 2.

Define the term stress' for plants. Discuss briefly the two types of stress encountered by plants.

Q 3.

Life style diseases are increasing alarmingly in India. We are also dealing with large scale malnutrition in the population. Is there any method by which we can address both of these problems together?

Q 4.

Plants raised through tissue cultures are clones of the parent' plant. Discuss the utility of these plants.

Q 5.

Explain what is meant by biofortification.

Q 6.

Name the improved characteristics of wheat that helped India to achieve green revolution.

Q 7.

Can gamma rays used for crop improvement programmes prove to be harmful for health? Discuss.

Q 8.

Discuss the two main limitations of plant hybridization programme.

Q 9.

Discuss natural selection and artificial selection. What are the implications of the latter on the process of evolution?

Q 10.

Name a man-made cereal. Trace how it was developed and where it is used?

Q 11.

What is meant by hidden hunger'?

Q 12.

What is protoplast fusion?

Q 13.

Suggest some of the features of plants that will prevent insect and pest infestation.

Q 14.

Would it be wrong to call plants obtained through micropropagation as clones'? Comment.

Q 15.

Which part of the plant is best suited for making virus-free plants and why?

Q 16.

What is meant by the term 'breed'? What are the objectives of animal breeding?

Q 17.

Millions of chicken were killed in West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Maharashtra recently, What was the reason?

Q 18.

It is said, that diseases are spreading faster due to globalisation and increased movement of people. Justify the statement taking the example of H5N1 virus.

Q 19.

Is there any relationship between dedifferentiation and the higher degree of success achieved in plant tissue culture experiments?

Q 20.

(a) The shift from grain to meat diets creates more demands for cereals. Why? (b) A250 kg cow produces 200 g of protein per day but 250 g of Methylophillus methylotrophus can produce 25 tonnes of protein. Name this emerging area of research. Explain its benefits.

Q 21.

(a) Mutations are beneficial for plant breeding. Taking an example, justify the statement.
(b) Discuss briefly the technology that made us self-sufficient in food production.

Q 22.

The term desirable trait' can mean different things for different plants.. Justify the statement with suitable examples.

Q 23.

Interspecific crosses are rare in nature and intergeneric crosses almost unknown. Why?

Q 24.

Why are proteins synthesised from SpiruJina called single cell proteins?

Q 25.

In the area of plant breeding, it is important not only to preserve the seeds of the variety being cultivated, but also to preserve all its wild relatives. Explain with a suitable example.

Q 26.

You are planning to set up a Dairy Farm. Describe the various aspects you would consider before you start the venture.

Q 27.

Why are plants obtained by protoplast culture called somatic hybrids?

Q 28.

Find out the various components of the medium 12.used for propagation of an explant in vitro are ?

Q 29.

Discuss the importance of testing of new plant varieties in a geographically vast country like India.

Q 30.

How can we improve the success rate of fertilisation during artificial insemination in animal husbandry programmes?

Q 31.

A farmer was facing the problem of low yield from his farm. He was advised to keep a beehive in the vicinity. Why? How would the beehive help in enhancing yield?

Q 32.

In the area of plant breeding, it is important not only to preserve the seeds of the variety being cultivated, but also to preserve all its wild relatives. Explain with a suitable example.

Q 33.

Explain the concept of the Blue Revolution.

Q 34.

You are a Botanist working in the area of plant breeding. Describe the various steps that you will undertake to release a new variety.

Q 35.

If your family owned a dairy farm, what measures  would you undertake to improve the quality and quantity of milk production?

Q 36.

What is apiculture? How is it important in our lives?

Q 37.

Differentiate between pisciculture and aquaculture.

Q 38.

What are the duties of a veterinary doctor in management of a poultry farm?

Q 39.

Give few examples of biofortified crops. What benefits do they offer to the society?

Q 40.

What are three options to increase food production? Discuss each giving the salient features, merits and demerits.

Q 41.

What is the major advantage of producing plants by micro propagation?

Q 42.

Why is it easier to culture meristems Compared to permanent tissues?

Q 43.

What is emasculation? Why and when is it done?

Q 44.

(a) The shift from grain to meat diets creates more demands for cereals. Why? (b) A250 kg cow produces 200 g of protein per day but 250 g of Methylophillus methylotrophus can produce 25 tonnes of protein. Name this emerging area of research. Explain its benefits.

Q 45.

Name the methods employed in animal breeding. According to you which of the methods is best? Why?

Q 46.

Name any five hybrid varieties of crop plants which have been developed in India.

Q 47.

A few statements are given below followed by a set of terms in a box. Pick the correct term and write it against the appropriate statement.
a. Mating of closely related individuals within the same breed
b. Mating of animals of same breed but having no common ancestors on either side for 4-6 generations
c. Mating of animals of two different species
d. Breeding of animals belonging to different breeds
(i) Cross breeding, (ii) Inter-specific hybridization,
(iii) Out breeding, (iv) Out crossing, (v) Inbreeding

Q 48.

A person who is allergic to pulses was advised to take a capsule of Spirulina daily. Give the reasons for the advise.

Q 49.

How is a somatic hybrid different from a hybrid?

Q 50.

Give two important contributions of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan.