Final answer:
Traits of economically important plants and animals are improved through artificial selection, the use of gene variants from related wild species, and advancements in genomics that aid in creating GMOs and hybrids with desirable traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artificial selection has been a cornerstone in improving the traits of economically important plants and animals. This is the intentional breeding for certain traits, such as breeding cows that produce more milk or plants that have better nutritional value. Through selective breeding, undesirable traits are minimized, and desirable traits are amplified in future generations.
Further advancement in plant breeding comes from integrating gene variants from wild species, which allows for new attributes to be introduced into crop varieties. This process enhances qualities such as disease resistance, herbicide and pesticide resistance, as well as improving nutritional content and shelf-life.
The use of genomics in agriculture has drastically improved our ability to identify desirable traits and link them to specific genes. Genomic data aids in creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and hybrids with the most sought-after qualities, which can lead to better crop yields and the creation of products that are more tolerant to environmental stresses.