The science of improving crop varieties is called ________ .

The correct option is C

Plant breeding

Crop improvement is the deliberate manipulation of the plant species, either by controlled pollination or by altering the genetic material, for desirable qualities. Hybridization is a way of controlled pollination followed by an artificial selection of the plant species, for the desired characteristics. For example, a hybrid coconut variety is produced by crossing two varieties with desirable qualities, so that both the desirable qualities are now present in one variety only.