5a-Food production Flashcards
What is food production, and why is it important?
Food production refers to the methods used to grow crops and rear animals to provide food for human consumption. It is essential to meet the demands of a growing global population, ensure food security, and maintain nutrition.
How can crop yield be increased?
Crop yield can be increased through:
- Fertilizers:
- Pesticides:
- Biological Control:
- Greenhouses and Polythene Tunnels:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fertilizers
Fertilizers:
Advantages: Increase crop growth and yield.
Disadvantages: Overuse can cause eutrophication, reducing water quality.
What is organic farming, and how does it differ from conventional farming?
Organic farming avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, using natural methods like compost, crop rotation, and biological control. It is environmentally friendly but may produce lower yields.
Why is fish farming important?
Fish farming (aquaculture) ensures a sustainable supply of fish, conserving wild populations and meeting food demands.
How is fish farming managed to maximize yield?
Controlled Diet: Fish are given high-protein food to promote growth.
Selective Breeding: Breeding fish with desirable traits (fast growth, disease resistance).
Predator Control: Keeping predators away using nets and enclosures.
Water Quality: Maintaining oxygen levels and removing waste to prevent disease.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fish farming?
Advantages: Provides a reliable food source, protects wild fish populations, and is cost-effective.
Disadvantages: Overcrowding can cause disease, waste can pollute water, and escaped fish may disrupt ecosystems.
What is the method for investigating the effect of fertilizers on plant growth?
Method:
Grow plants in soil with different concentrations of fertilizer.
Measure plant height and leaf number weekly.
What are the expected results of the fertilizer investigation?
Positive Result: Moderate fertilizer use increases growth.
Negative Result: Excess fertilizer harms plants (leaf burn, stunted growth).
How can crop yield be increased?
Fertilizers
Fertilizers: Provide essential nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to promote plant growth.
How can crop yield be increased?
Pesticides
Pesticides: Kill pests that damage crops. Types include insecticides (insects), herbicides (weeds), and fungicides (fungi).
How can crop yield be increased?
Biological control
Biological Control: Introduces natural predators to control pests without harming the environment.
How can crop yield be increased?
Greenhouse and polythese tunnels
Greenhouses and Polythene Tunnels: Provide controlled environments, optimizing temperature, light, and humidity.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of pesticides?
Pesticides:
Advantages: Protect crops from pests, increasing yield.
Disadvantages: Can harm non-target species and accumulate in food chains (bioaccumulation).
