With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of `genome sequencing’, often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future?

1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants.
2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop
3. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops.
4. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants.
5. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop
6. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Genome sequencing determines the precise order of DNA nucleotides (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Thymine) within an organism's genome. Understanding this order allows for numerous applications in agriculture.

Statement 1: Correct. Genome sequencing helps identify genetic markers associated with desirable traits like disease resistance and drought tolerance. This allows breeders to select plants with these traits more efficiently.

Statement 2: Correct. By identifying genes quickly, genome sequencing accelerates the development of new crop varieties. This is because breeders can target specific genes for modification or selection, reducing the time needed for traditional breeding methods.

Statement 3: Correct. Genome sequencing is crucial for understanding host-pathogen relationships. By analyzing the genomes of both the crop and the pathogen, scientists can identify the mechanisms of infection and resistance, leading to better disease management strategies.

Hence, 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

Sources:

• Scientific American - Whole-Genome Sequencing Predict Disease
• Wikipedia - Whole Genome Sequencing