Which of the following is NOT a primary application of agricultural biotechnology?

In the realm of agricultural biotechnology, the primary applications focus on enhancing crop resilience, efficiency, and nutritional value. Pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and improved nutritional content are all well-established applications of biotechnology.

Pest resistance involves developing genetically modified crops that can withstand attacks from insects, reducing the need for chemical pesticides, thereby benefiting both the environment and agricultural productivity. Herbicide tolerance allows crops to survive the application of specific herbicides, enabling farmers to control weeds more effectively without harming their crops. Improved nutritional content entails enhancing the nutritional value of crops through genetic modification, ensuring food security and addressing nutrient deficiencies in populations.

Increased moisture retention, while beneficial, is not typically categorized as a primary application of agricultural biotechnology. Rather, it aligns more with broader agricultural practices and soil management strategies aimed at improving overall crop resilience to drought conditions. Techniques like agronomy and soil physics may address moisture retention, but it does not directly involve genetic modification or biotechnology innovations as commonly recognized in the industry. Thus, it stands apart from the more direct applications that target pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and nutritional enhancements.