Question

How do biotic and abiotic factor adversely affect crop production?

Answer 1

Biotic factors are living organisms that reduce cropproductivity due to eitlier directly feeding on them (e.g.,insects, rodents) or causing diseases (e.g., nematodes, my coplasmas, bacteria, viruses, fungi). Abiotic factors are non-living components of environment that affect growth of crop plants like excess of water (water-logging), scarcity of water (drought), salinity, heat, cold or frost. Water logging reduces aeration of soil whichis harmful to growth and functioning of roots. In drought, water is not available to meet the requirement ofthe plants for transpiration, growth and photosynthesis. Frost, cold and heat reduce or inhibit metabolic activities and are, therefore, harmful.