Increasing Agricultural Yeilds (Copy)
3.4 Increasing Agricultural Yields – Cheat Sheet
Techniques to Increase Yields
| Technique | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Crop Rotation | Rotating crops each season to maintain soil fertility and reduce pests/diseases | Legumes add nitrogen for cereals |
| Fertilisers | Chemical (NPK) or organic (manure/compost) used to replenish soil nutrients | Urea fertiliser in wheat farming |
| Irrigation | Artificial water supply to crops in dry areas | Canal irrigation in Pakistan |
| Pest Control | – Insecticides kill insects- Herbicides control weeds- Fungicides prevent fungal diseases | Pesticides on cotton crops |
| Biological Control | Use of natural predators to control pests | Ladybirds to eat aphids |
| Mechanisation | Use of machines for ploughing, harvesting, spraying | Combine harvesters in USA farms |
| Selective Breeding | Breeding plants/animals with desired traits | High-yield dairy cows |
| Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) | Genetic engineering for pest resistance, drought tolerance, higher yield | Bt cotton in India |
| Controlled Environments | Greenhouses (climate-controlled) & hydroponics (soilless nutrient solutions) | Tomato farming in Dutch greenhouses |
Quick Pointers
- Aim: higher productivity, efficiency, and food security.
- Risks: overuse of fertilisers/pesticides → pollution, resistance, soil degradation.
- Technology (mechanisation, GMOs, hydroponics) → boosts yields but often costly.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course