However, improving yields on
land currently cultivated through traditional strategiesdi.e.,
increasing agricultural inputs (water, fertilizer, pesticides)dalso
has detrimental environmental consequences (Tilman et al., 2001).
Furthermore, research suggests that in the absence ofbioengineering, the historical rate of crop yield improvements
experienced since the Green Revolution is declining in many parts
of the world, and that the genetic ceiling for maximal yield
potential is being approached despite increasing inputs