RAS question
How many germplasm lines will the second National Gene Bank store?
Correct answer: (A) 10 lakh.
The second National Gene Bank will conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm lines.
Explanation
The figure is 10 lakh. The PIB release says the Government announced a second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm for future food and nutritional security. PIB also states that the existing National Gene Bank at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, holds plant genetic resources used by public and private agencies involved in crop improvement and genetic-resource management. The new bank, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a 10 lakh germplasm capacity, is meant to strengthen India's biodiversity conservation effort. Therefore, 10 lakh, not a smaller or larger number, is the correct capacity.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) 5 lakh is below the second National Gene Bank's PIB-stated capacity of 10 lakh germplasm.
- (C) 1 lakh understates the announced capacity; the second National Gene Bank will conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm, not 1 lakh.
- (D) 20 lakh exceeds the announced capacity; the second National Gene Bank's capacity is 10 lakh germplasm.
Concept
Applied science and technology in agriculture includes conservation of plant genetic resources. RAS often repeats such facts because government initiatives connect biodiversity, food security and crop improvement.