Biotechnology Agriculture

May 26, 2023, 16:45 IST

Biotechnology is a branch of biology that deals with technical advancements and processes related to living organisms. Biotechnology uses technology to improve the quality of medicines, food, crops, cattle for the benefit of mankind.

The Green Revolution

The Green Revolution was a wave of agricultural advancement in the 1960s which aimed to alleviate malnutrition and hunger in the world. New techniques of agriculture and genetically modified seed varieties combined with use of agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides lead to a rapid increase in crop production in many countries. M.Swaminathan is considered as the father of the green revolution in India.

Also, check - Biosafety Issues

Recombinant DNA Technology

The rDNA (Recombinant DNA) technique has transformed biotechnology by enabling experts to cut and connect various sequences of Nucleotides and insert the new recombinant (Chimeric or hybrid) DNA into a new host.

It permits the exchange of genetic information from one species to another, imparting a brand-new attribute. Recombinant DNA technology is instrumental in generating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). GMOs are those plants, animals, microbes and fungi that have been developed using scientific techniques.

Also, check - Anatomy

Genetically Modified Plants

• The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is responsible for producing the Bt toxin. It has been possible to construct a bio-pesticide by cloning the Bt toxin gene from bacteria and expressing it in plants, which gives plants insect resistance without the use of insecticides. The following are a few examples: Bt corn, Bt cotton, Bt tomato, Bt potato, etc.
• Bacillus thuringiensis is capable of producing certain toxic proteins. Tobacco budworms, armyworms, beetles, and other lepidopteran, coleopteran, and dipteran insects are killed by this toxin. During a specific stage of their growth, Bacillus thuringiensis produces protein crystals and a poisonous insecticidal protein is present in these crystals.
• The Bt toxin protein initially exists as inactive protoxins, but once an insect consumes the toxin, the crystals begin to dissolve due to the high alkaline pH in the gut of the organism, turning the dormant poison into an active form of toxin. The surfaces of the cells present in the midgut epithelial layer, are bound by the active toxin, which causes the formation of holes or pores. These pores are responsible for the lysis of the cell and ultimately the death of the insect.
• Bacillus thuringiensis was used to create specific Bt toxin genes, which were then introduced into a variety of agricultural plants, including cotton. Since most Bt poisons are specific to particular insect groups, the selection of genes relies on the plant and the pest that is being targeted. The gene cryIAc, sometimes known as cry gene, codes for the toxin. The cotton bollworms are controlled by the proteins produced by the gene cryIAc and cryIIAb, and the corn borer is controlled by the protein represented by the gene cryIAb. This genetically modified form of cotton is called Bt cotton.
• Virus-resistant plants, for instance, have a virus - specific protein gene that is produced in large quantities and stops the virus from replicating in the host cell. This trait falls under the area of biotic stress resistance. In these plants, coat protein genes contribute to resistance against a variety of viruses, including the Papaya Ring Spot Virus,Tobacco Rattle Virus, and Potato Virus.
• The nutritional value of several food crops has also been significantly improved through the application of biotechnological technologies. Golden rice, which contains a high concentration of beta-carotene (the building block for the body's manufacture of vitamin A), is a prime example. The name is derived from thegolden hue of the rice grain, which is caused by excessive beta-carotene expression.

Also, check - Amoebiasis

RNA Interference (RNAi) Technology

Numerous nematodes parasitize a diverse range of plants and animals. The yield of tobacco plants is significantly reduced as a result of nematode Meloidogyne incognita infecting the roots of this plant. An innovative approach based on the RNA interference mechanism was employed to stop this issue. All eukaryotic creatures use RNAi as a cellular defence mechanism. This technique includes suppressing a particular mRNA because a complementary dsRNA molecule attaches to it and inhibits the mRNA from being translated. This procedure is called silencing of the gene. Agrobacterium vectors are employed to transfer nematode-specific genes into the host plant. DNA is introduced in a way that causes the host cells to create sense and antisense RNA. Due to the complementary nature of these two RNAs, they get joined with each other to produce a double stranded (dsRNA) molecule, which initiates RNA interference and suppresses a particular nematode mRNA. As a result, a transgenic host that expressed a particular interfering RNA becomes unable to support the parasite. Consequently, the transgenic plant develops resistance against the parasitic agent.

Tissue Culture

Plant tissue culture, which involves cultivating plant cells and tissues in artificial media enriched with necessary nutrients, has several uses in effective mass propagation (true to type or similar), which may be challenging using conventional breeding techniques. Many arid land legume species are reproduced using cotyledon, hypocotyl, leaf, ovaries, protoplast, petiole root, and anther cultures, among other plant parts. Another recognised essential field in crop enhancement is haploid production by anther/pollen culture. Plant cell culture has the potential to preserve the storage of perennial crops or horticultural crops with difficult-to-germinate seeds. Numerous horticultural crops have successfully used these methods, and there are currently numerous germplasm collection facilities across the world.

Biotechnology Agriculture: FAQs

Q1. What is Biotechnology in Agriculture?

Ans. The use of scientific methods to improve the quality of crops and agrochemicals is called biotechnology in agriculture.

Q2. What is the importance of biotechnology in agriculture?

Ans. It helps to produce disease and pest resistant crops which minimizes the use of harmful chemicals so that the nutritional value and yield is also increased simultaneously.

Q3. What is the Green Revolution?

Ans. A wave of advancements in agriculture industry during the 1960s by employing genetically modified crop varieties, agrochemicals and scientific farming techniques lead to increase in crop production and alleviation of food deficiency in the world. This is known as the Green Revolution.

Q4. Who is the father of the Green Revolution in India?

Ans. M.Subramaniam was the father of the green revolution in India. He was the minister for food and agriculture in the 1960s. He led the green revolution in India by using high quality agrochemicals and genetically modified seeds.

Q5. What technological advancements have improved agriculture in the world?

Ans. Genetically improved seed and crop varieties like disease and pest resistant plants, techniques like hydroponics, tissue culture, horticulture, and recombinant DNA technology have helped to improve the plight of the agri industry in the world.

Q6. Name some Genetically Modified Plants that have been produced using Recombinant DNA Technology?

Ans. Golden rice, Bt brinjal, Bt tomato, Bt potato and many other genetically modified plants have been produced by Recombinant DNA Technology.