Which of the following is a key component of agricultural biotechnology?

Genetic engineering is a fundamental component of agricultural biotechnology because it involves the direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnological techniques. This allows for the introduction of desirable traits into crops and livestock, such as increased resistance to pests, enhanced nutritional content, and improved tolerance to environmental stresses like drought or salinity.

By utilizing genetic engineering, scientists can create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that can better meet the demands of food production, manage resources more efficiently, and cope with changing climate conditions. This aspect of agricultural biotechnology significantly differs from traditional farming practices, organic gardening, and conventional livestock breeding, which do not involve the sophisticated molecular techniques that define genetic engineering.