What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices?

Dear Student

Genetic manipulation is a process of incorporating desirable (genes) characters into crop varieties by hybridisation. Hybridisation involves crossing between genetically dissimilar plants. This is done for production of varieties with desirable characteristics like profuse branching in fodder crops, high yielding varieties in maize, wheat, etc. Genetic manipulation is useful in developing varieties which shows:
• Increased yield
• Better quality
• Shorter and early maturity period
• Better adaptability to adverse environmental conditions
• Desirable characteristics

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