Question

How do biotic and abiotic factors affect crop production? [3 MARKS]

Answer 1

Each point: 0.5 Mark

1. A variety of biotic factors such as pests, nematodes, disease etc. can reduce the net production.
2. A pest causes damage to agriculture by feeding on crops. For example, boll weevil is a pest on cotton.
3. It attacks the cotton crop, thereby reducing its yield. Weeds also reduce crop productivity by competing with the main crop for nutrients, light and space.
4. Abiotic factors such as salinity, temperature etc. affect the net crop production.
5. Some natural calamities like droughts and floods are unpredictable.
6. Their occurrence has a great impact on crops sometimes, destroying the entire crop.