Genetic engineering, also called recombinant DNA technology, involves the group of techniques used to cut up and join together genetic material, especially DNA from different biological species, and to introduce the resulting hybrid DNA into an organism in order to form new combinations of heritable genetic material. With advancement in genetics, molecular biology and tissue culture, new traits have been incorporated into crop plants. Explain the main steps in breeding a new genetic variety of crop.

Explanation

In the process of developing a new genetic variety of crop, following steps are involved: (i) The variability is collected through germplasm collection and preservation of different wild varieties. (ii) Selecting the desired parents in order to identify plants with desirable combination of traits through which the pure lines are produced. (iii) Carrying out cross-hybridisation among selected parents. Cross-hybridising the two parents produces the hybrids. (iv) The suitable progeny that has desired characters and is superior over its both the parents. Such recombinants are selected and tested. (v) Further, the selected recombinants are tested for commercial release as a new cultivar.