Question

What are the desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvement?

Answer 1

Hint: They are the basic plant characters that are required for the improved quality of the plant.

Complete answer:
To increase the productivity of the crops and to provide food and fodder for the increasing population of humans and livestock. The desired agronomic characteristics are one of the various objectives of crop improvement. They help in achieving higher productivity.

Desirable agronomic characteristics for crop improvement
- The cereals should be dwarfed as the short height of plants will make them stronger. They can withstand harsh climatic conditions and the effect of strong winds.
- The fodder crops should be tall and profusely branched to increase the amount of yield.
- Crops should have improved nutritional content and less requirement of the nucleus.
- The crops should have high yielding property so that in a small area of the land a large amount of food can be yielded in a shorter time.
- The crops must be resistant against pests, this way they can be protected from any disease and will prevent crops from being wasted.
- The duration of maturation is also changed in crops. The crops should be induced for early maturation to get the fruits harvested early. This will decrease the amount of time and will fasten productivity.

Note: Desirable agronomic characteristics are different for different crops. There are various methods of crop improvement – cross-pollination, development of hybrid varieties, development of synthetic varieties, etc.