Q.The wheat variety Himgiri, developed through hybridization and selection, is notable chiefly for its:

Biofortification = breeding crops with higher nutritional value. Biofortified maize has double the lysine and tryptophan; improved wheat has higher protein — so both are nutritionally enriched.

i) Biofortification is a plant-breeding approach that develops crop varieties richer in nutrients — proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals (like iron and zinc). The aim is to improve public nutrition and combat 'hidden hunger' directly through the food crop, without needing supplements.

ii) How biofortified maize and wheat are nutritionally improved:

• Maize: hybrid maize varieties have been bred that contain about twice the amount of the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan compared with ordinary maize, greatly improving protein quality.
• Wheat: improved wheat varieties such as Atlas 66 have a notably higher protein content, making them a better protein source. …