What are the advantages of high yielding varieties of crops?

The high yielding varieties of crops possess certain desirable characteristics as given under:

1. High yield:

The improved varieties of crops give us more yields per hectare.

2. Dwarfness:

The high yielding varieties of crops are dwarf. Due to short height, their plants are stronger and hence can withstand strong winds. The problem of lodging is less in these improved varieties.

3. Better response to fertilizers:

The high yield varieties of crops give better response to fertilizers. This means that when fertilizers are supplied to high yielding varieties their yield increases substantially. This is not so in case of traditional varieties.

4. Early maturation:

The high yielding varieties of crops take less time for maturing. As a result, some additional crop can be raised in the spare time thus saved.

The high yielding varieties of crops also possess certain drawbacks as given under:

1. Being dwarf, the high yielding varieties of crops, yields less fodder than the tall, traditional varieties of crops.

2. The high yielding varieties of crops require higher inputs such as more water and more fertilizers as compared to the traditional varieties of crops.

3. The high yielding varieties of crops need more frequent weeding.

4. The high yielding varieties of crops need continuous use of pesticides.

5. The high yielding varieties of crops are generally more susceptible to diseases than the traditional varieties.