Biotechnology in Agriculture: Exploring the role that B. Tech Biotechnology colleges are playing in making sustainable farming practices a norm

Biotechnology is best characterised as the application of scientific approaches to improve and modify the value of plants, animals, and microbes. Biotechnology has made its way into various disciplines throughout the years, including health, agriculture, genetic engineering, and so on.

What is B.Tech Biotechnology?

The B.Tech Biotechnology degree at Manipal University Jaipur is an interdisciplinary field of biological science that provides a foundational platform across modern "biotechnological processes" aimed to meet societal objectives. It is designed to give current knowledge of numerous cellular processes and an understanding of the fundamentals behind them, as well as the creation of various technologies. It is a vast and active discipline in which new ideas flourish and motivate both students and staff members to investigate the structure, functions, behaviour, and challenges of living beings. The primary goal of the course is to prepare students for various biotechnological processes/products and companies with a current global vision in both the government and private sectors.

Impact of Biotechnology on Agriculture:

Agricultural biotechnology may be defined as a set of scientific procedures that use DNA and its principles to better plants, microorganisms, and animals.

Biotechnology is thought to be more effective in agriculture than agrochemicals. The latter is thought to be to blame for environmental damage and is also relatively impracticable for farmers.

Genetic Engineering:

It is a method in which one or more genes are purposely altered in the laboratory. This is accomplished by the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, which alters an organism's genetic composition.

Tissue Culture:

Tissue culture is growing and nurturing bits of plant or animal tissue in a controlled environment. This tissue must first be separated.

Embryo Rescue:

It is a type of plant in-vitro cultivation technology. To ensure the survival of an immature embryo, it is fostered in a controlled environment. This can aid in the preservation of seed species that are on the verge of extinction. This can include heritage seeds, locally grown grains with cultural significance, and so on.

Somatic Hybridisation:

It is a method of manipulating the cellular genome through the process of protoplast fusion.

Molecular Gene-Markers:

Molecular-gene markers are distinct segments of DNA that are connected with a specific position within the genome in genetic engineering.

Molecular Diagnosis:

A collection of procedures used to analyse biological markers in the genome and proteome is known as molecular diagnostics. It aids in defining how their genes are expressed as proteins in their cells.

Plant Vaccines:

It is a formulation that is injected into a host body in order to elicit a desired immunological response. It aids in the prevention of illnesses such as polio. Its manufacture is presently widespread in order to combat coca.

Sustainable Agriculture Through Biotechnology:

Crop Production:

Biotechnology increases agricultural output significantly by improving disease control and increasing tolerance to drought and flooding. This not only meets the ever-increasing need for food but also assists farmers in reducing losses.

Crop Protection:

Biotechnology approaches provide cost-effective solutions to pest concerns. Farmers have successfully transformed crops such as cotton, maize and potato to produce a protein that efficiently combats insect concerns.

Nutrition Value:

It has also helped farmers to grow foods with increased nutritional content, as well as improved flavour and texture. For example, technology has enabled the cultivation of soybeans with high protein content, beans with more amino acids, and potatoes with starch.

The Freshness of Produce:

It also helps to improve crop flavour and taste by increasing the activity of enzymes found in plants. It also aids in keeping the crop fresh for a longer period of time.

Chemical Longevity:

Most farmers use pesticides to suppress weed growth, which often results in soil erosion. However, genetically engineered food is resistant to a variety of chemicals, including herbicides; as a result, soil erosion is on a much smaller scale.

Disease Resistance:

Insect-borne viral infections are frequently difficult to control, and the use of pesticides can harm both soil and crop quality. Nonetheless, genetically modified plants are less susceptible to viral infection, making crop damage more manageable for farmers.

Conclusion:

Understanding the many facets and how new technology may transform the face of agriculture can be aided by learning about the function of biotechnology in agriculture.