Ncert Exercises & Solutions

Q. 35 Highlight any four areas where genetic modification of plants has been useful.

Genetically Modified Plants (GMOs) are the plants, whose genes have been altered by manipulation.

Genetic modification of plants is useful in different areas. Because of following reasons

(a) It increases tolerance against abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat).

(b) It reduces reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops)

(d) It increases the efficiency of minerals used by plants (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil)

(e) It enhances nutritional value of food, e.g., vitamin-A enriched rice (golden rice).

(f) It creates tailor-made plants to supply alternative resources such as starch fuels and pharmaceuticals to industries.