Concept:
Plant breeding is the science of improving genetic traits of crop plants to obtain superior varieties.
Step 1: Define plant breeding.
It involves:
• Controlled manipulation of heredity
• Selection of desirable traits
• Development of high-yield, disease-resistant varieties
Step 2: Analyze options.
• (A) Genetics → Study of heredity, not application $\times$
• (B) Traditional biotechnology → Uses microbes/processes $\times$
• (C) Horticulture → Cultivation of plants $\times$
• (D) Plant breeding → Genetic improvement of crops \checkmark
Step 3: Conclusion.
\[
\text{Purposeful manipulation of crop heredity = Plant breeding}
\]