Final answer:
Plant biotechnology is the process of using scientific methods to make genetic modifications to DNA, which involves the creation of GMOs with desired traits. Genetic engineering is pivotal in this field, especially for enhancing agricultural productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plant biotechnology is a means to artificially improve or modify existing plants and animals. It uses scientific processes to make changes to the genetic material Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Genetic engineering involves the use of recombinant DNA technology, a process by which a DNA sequence is manipulated in vitro, to create recombinant DNA molecules with new combinations of genetic material. The recombinant DNA is then introduced into a host organism, resulting in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with desirable traits, such as resistance to pests or increased nutritional value.
If the foreign DNA that is introduced comes from a different species, the host organism can be considered transgenic, which is particularly common in agricultural applications to enhance crop production and sustainability.