Q. Consider the following techniques/phenomena:

  1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants
  2. Cytoplasmic male sterility
  3. Gene silencing

Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?

  • 1 only
  • 2 and 3
  • 1 and 3
  • None

Answer: (b) 2 and 3

Transgenic Crops
  • Transgenic Crops are the crops that have their genomes modified through genetic engineering techniques either by the addition of a foreign gene or removal of a certain detrimental gene.
    • The aim is to introduce a new trait to the plat which does not naturally occur.
    • A transgenic plant contains a gene or genes that have been artificially inserted.
  • GMO vs Transgenic Organisms:
    • Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and transgenic organism are two terms that are used interchangeably.
    • However, there is a slight difference between GMO and transgenic organism. Although both have altered genomes, a transgenic organism is a GMO containing a DNA sequence or a gene from a different species. While a GMO is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
    • Thus, all transgenic organisms are GMOs, but not all GMOs are transgenic.
  • Concerns related to Transgenic Crops:
    • Lack Nutritional Value: GM foods can sometimes lack nutritional value despite their increased production and pest resistance focus. This is because the emphasis is often placed on enhancing certain traits rather than nutritional content.
    • Risks to Ecosystems: GM production can also pose risks to ecosystems and biodiversity. It may disrupt gene flow and harm indigenous varieties, leading to a loss of diversity in the long run.
    • Trigger Allergic Reactions: Genetically modified foods have the potential to trigger allergic reactions since they are biologically altered. This can be problematic for ndividuals accustomed to conventional varieties.
    • Endangered Animals: Wildlife is also at risk due to GM crops. For instance, genetically modified plants used for producing plastic or pharmaceuticals can endanger animals like mice or deer that consume crop debris left in fields after harvest.
Budding and Grafting
  • Budding and Grafting are horticultural techniques, Grafting is the act of placing a portion of one plant (bud or scion) into or on a stem, root, or branch of another (stock) in such a way that a union will be formed and the partners will continue to grow.
    • In the budding process, a bud is taken from one plant and grown on another. It does not lead to any genetic modification.
Cytoplasmic male sterility
  • Cytoplasmic male sterility is total or partial male sterility in plants as the result of specific nuclear and mitochondrial interactions.
    • Male sterility is the failure of plants to produce pollen or male gametes.
    • The cytoplasmic male sterility systems are widely utilized in crop plants for hybrid breeding due to the convenience of controlling sterility.
Gene Silencing
  • Gene Silencing using RNA interference technology, transcriptional gene silencing, virus-induced gene silencing, has been used in horticultural techniques.
    • The double-strand RNAs present inside the cell are responsible for producing small interfering RNAs, short hairpin RNAs, and micro RNAs.