U3 Food Production Flashcards
Why must we use fertilisers and pesticides?
To sustain crop growth for the growing population
How is crop growth increased?
Through use of pesticides and fertilisers
What do fertilisers provide plants with?
Nitrates to form amino acids
What is the role of pesticides?
To kill animals and other plants which reduce crop yield
What can happen when fertilisers are overused?
They can leach into nearby water causing algal blooms
What is the impact of an algal bloom?
Light is blocked resulting in plants dying.
Dead plants become food for bacteria allowing them to multiply.
Bacteria consume oxygen lowering the concentration for other organisms.
How can fertiliser and pesticide use be reduced?
By using GM crops and biological controls
What is the term for pesticide build up in food chains?
Bioaccumulation
What can be used instead of pesticides?
GM crops or biological controls
