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. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. None

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• Budding and grafting in fruit plants: These are traditional techniques used for vegetative propagation. They involve joining parts of two plants to grow as a single plant but do not involve genetic modification or the creation of transgenic crops.
• Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS): CMS is a condition where a plant is unable to produce viable pollen due to mutations in the mitochondrial genome. This is used extensively in hybrid seed production as it eliminates the need for manual or mechanical emasculation.
• Gene silencing: Gene silencing is a genetic engineering technique where specific genes are turned off or suppressed using methods such as RNA interference (RNAi). This is commonly used to create transgenic crops with desired traits like pest resistance (e.g., Bt cotton) or enhanced nutritional value.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Easy