Topic 4 - Bioenergetics ( 6. artificially controlling plant growth )

Question 1

what is the most common way to grow plants

Answer 1

in a greenhouse

Question 2

How do farmers artificially manipulate the environment in which they grow plants and why?

Answer 2

They grow plants in greenhouses or in polythene tunnels. They can control the temperature in greenhouses using heaters and ventilation. They can artificially increase the carbon dioxide levels. They can control the light using fluorescent lamps.

By doing all of this, their plants grow faster and certain plants can be grown in this country out of their natural growth season. E.g. tomatoes can be grown all year round. Therefore, they increase their profits

Question 3

What are hydroponics?

Answer 3

a greenhouse system where plants are grown in water to eliminate soil as a limiting factor, conditions are controlled using computer software

Question 4

What are the main benefits of artificially controlling the environment in which we grow food?

Answer 4

plants grow faster, grow out of season, in non-indigenous countries, hydroponics: no ploughing or preparing the land