Agricultural Practices Leading to Green Revolution:

The Green Revolution refers to a series of agricultural innovations and practices that significantly increased crop production in the mid-20th century. It involved the introduction of high-yielding crop varieties, increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, and improved irrigation methods. These practices led to increased food production, alleviated hunger, and boosted agricultural economies.

Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation and Tissue-Specific Expression:

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation can be used to achieve tissue-specific expression of genes in plants. This allows for precise control over where and when the transgene is expressed.

Controversy Surrounding Golden Rice:

Golden Rice has faced controversy due to concerns about GMO safety, intellectual property rights, and potential economic implications for farmers. Some argue it has not fulfilled its promise to combat vitamin A deficiency effectively.

Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Cotton in Biotechnology and Its Application:

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is also used to introduce desired traits, such as insect resistance or herbicide tolerance, into cotton plants. This technology enhances cotton yield and reduces the need for chemical pesticides.

Biofertilizers vs. Conventional Chemical Fertilizers:

Biofertilizers are microorganisms that enhance soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilizing phosphates, and promoting plant growth. Conventional chemical fertilizers are synthetic compounds that provide essential nutrients to plants. Biofertilizers are eco-friendly, sustainable, and promote soil health, while chemical fertilizers may have environmental impacts.

Microbes:

Microbes, including bacteria and fungi, play crucial roles in biotechnology. They are used in processes like fermentation for food and beverage production, bioremediation to clean up pollutants, and biopharmaceutical production.

Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes:

Phosphate solubilizing microbes are bacteria that convert insoluble phosphate in the soil into a soluble form that plants can absorb. They enhance plant growth and reduce the need for phosphate fertilizers, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Golden Rice:

Golden Rice is a genetically modified rice variety engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. It aims to combat vitamin A deficiency, a significant health issue in many developing countries.

Outline of the Cloning Steps:

Cloning involves the creation of genetically identical organisms or copies of genes or DNA fragments. The steps typically include isolation, insertion, selection, and identification of the desired DNA.

Points for Consideration:

In biotechnology, various ethical, environmental, and safety considerations must be addressed, including potential risks, regulatory compliance, and public acceptance.

Expression Cassette:

An expression cassette is a DNA construct that includes a promoter, gene of interest, and other regulatory elements. It is used to express a specific gene in a host organism.

Process for Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Plants:

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a common method for introducing foreign DNA into plants. It involves the use of the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens to deliver the desired DNA into plant cells.