Final answer:
The early method of making virus-resistant crops involved genetic engineering to introduce virus resistance, with examples including Potato virus Y and Tobacco mosaic virus. The genetically modified papayas created to resist the papaya ringspot virus in Hawaii demonstrate the successful application of this method in agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Introduction to Virus-Resistant Crops
Early methods of making virus-resistant crops involved genetic engineering to introduce traits that would help plants fend off attacks by specific viruses. An example of these efforts can be seen in virus resistant papayas, which were modified to resist the papaya ringspot virus (PRV). This progress is crucial for agriculture as viruses such as PRV can cause significant economic loss and disrupt food supplies.
Examples of Plant Viruses
There are numerous viruses that can infect crops, including Potato virus Y and Tobacco mosaic virus, which are harmful to a wide variety of plants, not just the ones they are named after. In terms of effectiveness, A) Potato virus Y, Tobacco mosaic virus is the correct pairing from the provided options related to early methods of creating virus-resistant crops. These modifications can help prevent various diseases and increase the quality and quantity of agricultural products.
Developments in Agriculture
In Hawaiian agriculture, by 2010, 80% of papaya plants had been genetically modified to be resistant to PRV using techniques that incorporate PRV DNA directly into the plant. This shows the significance and success of genetically engineering crops to combat particular viral threats. Likewise, transgenic plums have been made to resist the plum pox virus, showcasing another successful application of this technology.