Question

In 1963, several varieties such as Sonalika and Kalyan Sona were introduced all over the wheat-growing belt in India. They were

• A. High yielding and disease susceptible
• B. Low yielding and disease susceptible
• C. High yielding and disease resistant
• D. Low yielding and disease resistant

Hint:

Sonalika and Kalyan Sona are the star players of India's Green Revolution. The entire purpose of the Green Revolution was to increase food production, which was achieved by developing varieties that were both high-yielding and resilient (disease-resistant).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question concerns the Green Revolution in India and the significant advancements in agriculture during that period. Sonalika and Kalyan Sona are important wheat varieties introduced at this time.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


Sonalika and Kalyan Sona are semi-dwarf wheat varieties derived from Mexican wheat strains developed by Dr. Norman Borlaug.

They were introduced to India in the mid-1960s to combat food shortages.

Their main advantages were:

High yielding: Their semi-dwarf stature allowed them to allocate more energy to grain production instead of straw. They were also less susceptible to lodging (bending or falling over), even with heavy fertilization. This resulted in significantly increased grain yields per area.
Disease resistant: These varieties were specifically bred to resist common wheat diseases, especially rust fungi, a major cause of crop loss.

The combination of high yield and disease resistance dramatically boosted wheat production in India, enabling the country to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Sonalika and Kalyan Sona are wheat varieties known for both high yield and disease resistance.