Final answer:
A) Genetic diversity is the key factor allowing hybrid corn to produce high yields, thanks to the creation of hybrid strains with improved yield and resistance. Biotechnology and genomics have aided in developing crop varieties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key factor that allows hybrid corn to produce such high yields is A) Genetic diversity.
Hybrid corn is a product of crossing two or more different inbred lines, leading to the creation of hybrid strains that often have increased vigor and higher yields, a phenomenon known as heterosis or hybrid vigor.
These hybrid varieties can exhibit traits such as improved yield, enhanced disease resistance, and increased tolerance to environmental stresses.
With the help of biotechnology and genomics, scientists have been able to introduce specific traits into crops, such as pest-resistant traits and improved nutritional qualities, that can contribute to the high yields and overall performance of hybrid crops.
Disease resistance is a particularly important benefit, as the genetic diversity present in hybrid crops provides a buffer against the rapid evolution of pests, which can decimate crops with less genetic variability.
This ability to withstand different stresses, along with the traits mentioned above, are fundamental reasons why hybrid corn and other crops are capable of producing high yields.