In: Biology
Most of our crops (corn, soy etc) are plants with
extremely low genetic variation. Why do we plant crops with low
genetic variation? What are the risks of this? From an evolutionary
perspective, how can a lack of genetic variation harm
crops?
Corn crops are cultivated around the year due to their high demand and frequent of use of same variety of seeds and this continuous cultivation of these crops without any other rotational crops low genetic diversity is seen which are affected by the seasonal changes and soil fertility. Low genetic variance crops are used to increase the production within less time.
Use of low genetic variation crops pose a risk of damaged of crops of by a genetic disorder or climatic changes if the crops with high genetic variation the cops will be more disease and drought resistant. Plants with less genetic variance are susceptible to disease condition and my cause extinct of entire crop and this extinction may lead to removal of entire species of plant from land.