Explain why the selective breeding of crop plants can help farmers to increase food yields.

Eduqas GCSE Biology — 6.4 Biological challenges of increasing food yields · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Selective breeding involves choosing plants with desirable characteristics to breed together.
This is repeated over many generations.
Desirable characteristics such as disease resistance, larger fruit or grain, or faster growth are passed on to offspring.
Over time this produces crop plants that grow better, produce more food and are more resistant to disease or pests, increasing yield.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word "selective breeding" and explain the process of choosing and breeding plants. Show the cycle of selection over many generations. Mention specific traits that are selected for. Link the improved traits to higher yields.

Common mistakes

  • Using vague terms like "better plants" without specifying traits. Failing to mention the repeated selection over generations. Omitting the link between selected traits and increased yield.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Selective breeding involves choosing plants with desirable characteristics to breed together
  2. This is repeated over many generations
  3. Desirable characteristics such as disease resistance, larger fruit/grain, or faster growth are passed on to offspring
  4. Over time this produces crop plants that grow better / produce more food / are more resistant to disease or pests, increasing yield

Key terms in this question

selective breeding · yield

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