The steps in a programme are given below:
(i) Collection of germplasm.
(ii) Crossbreeding the selected parents.
(iii) Selecting the superior recombinant progeny.
(iv) Testing, release and commercialisation ofthe new cultivars.
Answer the following qeustions:
(a) What is this programme called?
(b) Name two important qualities that form the basis of selection of the progeny.
(c) What was the outcome of this programme?
(d) What is the popular term given to this outcome? Name the Indian scientist who is credited with the chalking out this programme.

More than 840 million people in the world do not have adequate food to meet their daily nutritional requirements. According to Global Hunger Index, 2014, about three billion people suffer from 'hidden hunger'.
(a) Apply your knowledge of plant breeding techniques to suggest a programme to improve public health.
(b) Specify four objectives of this programme.

Life style diseases are increasing alarmingly in our country. We are facing large scale malnutrition also in the population.
(a) Suggest a programme by which we can address these problems.
(b) Give any two examples to support your answer.

Demand for mushroom as food has led to its culturing on a large scale. Similarly, it is perceived that microbes too would become acceptable as food.
(a) Identify a microbe which can be cultured as a food source .
(b) Mention the advantages of its culture.

Mr. Arjun Singh has a high quality banana plantation in his field; but the yield suffered due to infection of the plants by a virus.
(a) Suggest a fast and efficient method to get a large number of healthy/virus-free plants in the next generation without compromising on the existing quality.
(b) Justify the selection of your method.
(c) Name two other plants that are produced on a commercial scale using this method.