Which trait, if engineered into crops, can help reduce pesticide usage?

Engineering insect resistance into crops significantly contributes to reducing pesticide usage. By incorporating genes that enable plants to produce proteins toxic to specific insect pests, these crops can effectively defend themselves against infestations. As a result, farmers may not need to apply chemical pesticides as frequently, leading to lower costs and reduced environmental impacts associated with pesticide application.

In addition to decreasing reliance on traditional pesticide methods, insect-resistant crops can also boost crop yield and quality by minimizing damage caused by pests. This trait is particularly valuable in sustainable agriculture, where the goal is to optimize productivity while preserving the ecosystem.

The other traits, while beneficial in their own contexts, do not directly address pesticide usage in the same way. For instance, disease tolerance helps crops survive specific plant diseases but may not affect insect populations or the need for insecticides. Water retention traits enhance drought resistance but do not correlate with pest management. Methane resistance relates to a plant's ability to cope with certain environmental stresses but again does not contribute to pest control.