Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Crop improvement aims at higher yield, quality and resistance. The method used is selection and manipulation of heredity.
Step 2: Definition
Plant breeding is the purposeful manipulation of the heredity of crop plants to produce new, superior varieties.
Step 3: Compare the options
Genetics is the study of heredity, horticulture is the cultivation of garden crops, and traditional biotechnology means old methods like fermentation. Only plant breeding matches the definition.
Final Answer:
The described process is plant breeding.
\[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{plant breeding}} \]