Q. Greatest threat to genetic diversity in agricultural crops is :

Q. Greatest threat to genetic diversity in agricultural crops is :

(a) Extensive use of insecticides and pesticides

(b) Extensive mixed cropping

(c) Introduction of high yielding varieties

(d) Extensive use of fertilisers

Solution : Correct option : C Genetic diversity is the diversity in the number and types of genes present in different species and variations in the genes of the same species. The greatest threat to genetic diversity in agricultural crops is introduction of high yielding varieties. High yielding varieties contains the required traits and therefore are always bred purely. This reduces the genetic diversity within a particular species . Thus, the correct answer is ‘Introduction of high yielding varieties.’