Biotechnology in Agriculture

Questions and Answers

What benefit does GM insect resistant maize have compared to conventional crops?

Longer growing season

Higher levels of mycotoxin contamination

Increased pesticide use

Lower levels of Fusarium infection (correct)

What environmental advantage is associated with reduced tillage farming systems?

Increased organic carbon storage in soil (correct)

Decreased soil carbon retention

Higher greenhouse gas emissions

Increased fuel consumption

Which of the following is NOT a reported benefit of adopting plant biotechnology?

Enhanced quality of Bt maize

Shorter growing seasons

Improved safety for farmers and farmworkers

Increased insecticide spraying (correct)

What effect does fungal damage have on mycotoxin levels in crops?

Increases mycotoxin synthesis Signup and view all the answers

How do reduced herbicide and insecticide usage associated with biotech crops impact greenhouse gas emissions?

Decrease emissions by reducing fuel use Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason farmers are adopting biotechnology in crop production?

To increase farm income Signup and view all the answers

In 2005, what was the direct global farm income benefit from GM crops?

$5 billion Signup and view all the answers

Which benefit is associated with Herbicide-Tolerant (HT) crops?

Reduced costs from less plowing Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the convenience benefits of Insect-Resistant (IR) crops?

Less time spent surveying for insects Signup and view all the answers

What has improved due to better weed control in GM crops?

Reduced times for harvesting Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Bt maize have compared to non-Bt maize, particularly regarding fungal damage?

Lower levels of fungal damage Signup and view all the answers

What is a major outcome associated with the adoption of conservation or no-tillage systems in biotech crop farming?

Lower energy and fuel usage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following benefits is NOT typically associated with biotechnology in crops?

Increased reliance on genetic diversity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Why Farmers Use Biotech Crops

Primary reason for adopting biotech crops is the significant increase in farm income due to enhanced productivity and efficiency.
In 2005, global farm income from GM crops reached $5 billion.
Economic benefits arise from two main sources: increased yields (primarily from GM insect-resistant technology) and reduced production costs (lower spending on herbicides, insecticides, and fuel).

Herbicide-Tolerant Crops

GM herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops allow spraying at a later stage when crops can better tolerate herbicide effects.
This method promotes conservation and no-tillage systems, leading to cost savings in labor and fuel.
Improved weed control results in cleaner harvests, reducing overall harvesting times and improving crop quality.
Elimination of potential damage from residual herbicides in subsequent crops benefits rotational farming.

Insect-Resistant Crops

GM insect-resistant crops reduce the need for insecticides, lowering farmer labor and operational costs related to pest management.
Less frequent aerial spraying leads to energy savings and reduced machinery use.
Bt maize exhibits lower levels of fungal damage, decreasing mycotoxin contamination (5–10-fold reduction compared to non-Bt maize).
Superior quality of Bt maize improves food and feed safety, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Health and Environmental Impacts

Health and safety of farmers improve as the reliance on hazardous pesticides decreases.
Some crops allow for a shorter growing season and enable multiple cropping (e.g., second crop of maize in India), enhancing overall yield.
The reduction in insecticide spraying also positively impacts beekeeping, minimizing bee losses.

Environmental Impact of Biotech Crops

Adoption of biotech crops leads to decreased use of insecticides and herbicides, which benefits the environment.
Reduced fuel consumption in farming operations contributes to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Shifting from conventional to no/reduced tillage practices increases organic carbon storage in soil, aiding carbon sequestration and further reducing CO2 emissions.

Biotechnological Applications for Plants

Understanding plant biochemistry is crucial for biotechnological advancements.
Key techniques include molecular biology methods, construction of expression vectors, transformation techniques, and plant regeneration processes.