Definitions [1]
Define Osmotic pressure.
The hydrostatic pressure which balances and prevents the osmotic inflow of water into concentrated solution is called osmotic pressure.
Osmotic pressure may be defined as the external pressure which should be applied to the solution in order to stop the phenomenon of osmosis, i.e., to stop the flow of solvent into the solution when the two are separated by a semipermeable membrane.
Key Points
Key Points: Plant Breeding
- Meaning — Plant breeding is the purposeful manipulation of the heredity of crops to produce new superior varieties. It is an applied branch of botany using genetics, taxonomy, physiology & biotechnology.
- Objectives — Increase crop yield, improve quality, resistance to pathogens & pests, tolerance to environmental stress, and shorter life cycle span.
- Methods — Introduction, Selection, Hybridisation, Mutation breeding, Polyploidy breeding, Tissue culture, rDNA technology, SCP, Molecular plant breeding.
- Green Revolution — Result of scientific breakthroughs using superior seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, modern machinery & irrigation → developed high-yielding disease-resistant varieties of wheat, rice, maize.
- Dr Norman Borlaug — American biologist, called "Father of the Green Revolution". Won Nobel Prize (1970) for saving millions from famine in India, Mexico & Middle East.
- Dr. M. S. Swaminathan — Called "Father of Green Revolution in India". Pioneer in mutation breeding in India. Developed wheat varieties — Sonora, NP 165, and Sharbati.
