Mineral usage efficiency of plants can be ……..A……….by genetic modification of plants and thus the exhaustion of fertility of the soil is …………B………… .

Options

A. `{:(A,B),("Increased","Hastened"):}`
B. `{:(A,B),("Increased","Delayed"):}`
C. `{:(A,B),("Decreased","Hastened"):}`
D. `{:(A,B),("Decreased","Delayed"):}`

Answer

To solve the question regarding the mineral usage efficiency of plants and its relationship with genetic modification, we can break it down into two parts:

### Step 1: Understand the context of genetic modification in plants
Genetic modification (GM) refers to the process of altering the genetic makeup of plants to enhance certain traits. One of the primary goals of GM crops is to improve their efficiency in utilizing nutrients, including minerals.

**Hint:** Think about how genetic modification can enhance a plant's ability to absorb and use minerals more effectively.

### Step 2: Analyze the first blank (A)
The question asks how mineral usage efficiency can be affected by genetic modification. Given the advancements in biotechnology, GM plants are often designed to have increased efficiency in nutrient uptake. Therefore, the correct word to fill in the blank would be "increased."

**Hint:** Consider the benefits of GM crops in terms of nutrient absorption and overall plant health.

### Step 3: Analyze the second blank (B)
The second part of the question discusses the effect of increased mineral usage efficiency on soil fertility. If plants are more efficient in using minerals, they are likely to deplete the soil of nutrients at a slower rate. This means that the exhaustion of soil fertility would be "delayed."

**Hint:** Reflect on the relationship between plant nutrient uptake and the sustainability of soil health.

### Step 4: Formulate the complete answer
Combining the insights from Steps 2 and 3, we can fill in the blanks:
- A: increased
- B: delayed

Thus, the complete sentence reads: "Mineral usage efficiency of plants can be **increased** by genetic modification of plants and thus the exhaustion of the fertility of the soil is **delayed**."

### Final Answer
A: increased; B: delayed