Question Details

Which of the following is not an objective of Biofortification in crops?

Options

A

Improve protein content

B

Improve resistance to diseases

C

Improve vitamin content

D

Improve micronutrient and mineral content

Correct Answer :

Improve resistance to diseases

Solution :

The correct answer is Improve resistance to diseases.

Understanding Biofortification:
Biofortification is the process of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value. This is achieved through conventional plant breeding, agronomic practices, or biotechnology. The primary goal of biofortification is to improve public health by addressing micronutrient malnutrition (often referred to as "hidden hunger"), particularly in populations that rely heavily on staple food crops.

Core Objectives of Biofortification:
The breeding objectives of biofortification focus specifically on enriching the nutritional profile of crops:
1. Protein content and quality.
2. Oil content and quality.
3. Vitamin content.
4. Micronutrient and mineral content (such as iron and zinc).

Why Disease Resistance is the Exception:
Developing crops that are resistant to diseases, pests, drought, and other environmental stressors is a crucial part of agricultural breeding. However, these are classified as agronomic traits aimed at crop protection, yield stability, and survival, rather than nutritional enhancement. Because biofortification deals strictly with enhancing the nutritional density of food for human consumption, improving resistance to diseases is not an objective of biofortification.

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