Write a note on how biotechnology can be used in achieving sustainable agriculture ?

Explanation

Subtainable agriculture is that which would use renewable resources, would cause the minium pollution and maintain the optiomum yeilds . Any development, which reduces the use of non-renewable resources and level of pollution , enhances the sustainability of agriculture .
Biotechnology contribute to sustainable to sustainable agriculture by developing biofertillizers , biopesticides dieasea and insect resistance varieties and single cell proteins -
1. Biofertilizers. These are the living organisms which bring about soil nutrients enrichment due to their biological activity. The main sources of biofertilizers are bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi. The symbiotic bacteria like Rhizobium is found in the root nodules of legumes and they bear the capability of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. The free living Azotobacter can fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to crops. Similary, some cyanobacteria (Anabaena azollae) form symbiotic association with the fern Azolla. Insoluble forms of soil phosphorus are converted into soluble forms by certain microorganisms. This makes phosphorus available to the plants. Mycorrhiza is the symbiotic association of fungal hyphae and roots of higher plants. These fungi solubilize phosphorus, produce plant growth promoting substances and protect host plants from soil pathogen. Biofertilizers are a low cost input and they do not pollute the environment. They also reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers.
2. Disease and insect resistant varieties. Genetic engineering has enabled the development of crop varieties which are resistant to certain insects and diseases. This approach has produced virus resistant varieties of crops and efforts are being made to produce varieties resistant to diseases caused by bacteria and fungi as well. Development of disease and insect resistant varieties has expected to minimize the use of chemicals for their control and as a result, pollution.
3. Single cell protein Single cell protein is microbial biomass rich in high quality protein. These serve as valuable food and feed supplements. It reduces the pressure on agricultural production systems for the supply of the required proteins. In addition, SCP production based on industrial effluents helps to reduce environment pollution.