Crop Production

Question 1

how do farmers make a large profit on their farms?

Answer 1

they try to control the environment in such a way as to maximise the yield from crop plants and livestock

Question 2

what conditions to farmers have in greenhouses?

Answer 2

• artificial heating
• artificial lighting
• additional carbon dioxide in the air
• regular watering

Question 3

why do greenhouses and polythene tunnels provide enhanced conditions for plants to grow?

Answer 3

• the transparent material allows sufficient natural light in for photosynthesis during the summer - additional lighting gives a ‘longer day’ during the winter for valuable crops
• the greenhouse effect also raises the temperature in the glasshouses
• burning fossil fuels or wood raises the temperature when the external temperature is too low - it also produces carbon dioxide and water vapour
• water vapour maintains a moist atmosphere and so reduces water loss by transpiration

Question 4

how does the farmer deal with the additional cost of providing conditions for greenhouses?

Answer 4

• the conditions must be weighed against the extra profit provided from the increased yield
• the farmer must find the optimum conditions