Biotechnology: The use of living organisms or their products to modify plants or improve horticultural practices.
In gardening, biotechnology encompasses a range of techniques, from traditional plant breeding to more modern genetic engineering, aimed at enhancing desirable traits in plants. This can include developing varieties resistant to pests and diseases, have improved nutritional content, or tolerate harsh environmental conditions.
While some biotechnology applications in gardening involve techniques like tissue culture and micropropagation to multiply plants rapidly, the term often brings to mind genetically modified (GM) crops. These are plants whose DNA has been altered to introduce specific traits. Biotechnology offers the potential to address challenges in agriculture and horticulture but also raises important discussions about safety and environmental impact.
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