The Green Revolution and Agricultural Practices

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture on the Green Revolution and associated agricultural practices.

What was the First Agricultural Revolution and when did it occur?

It took place between 11,000 and 12,000 years ago, marking the transition to farming.

What was the Second Agricultural Revolution and its time frame?

It began in the 1600s and continued until the 1930s, leading to significant agricultural advancements.

What is subsistence farming?

Farming that provides enough food for the farmer and their family, with little surplus for trade.

What is one positive and one negative outcome of the Third Agricultural Revolution (Green Revolution)?

Positive: Increased food production; Negative: Environmental degradation.

Define industrial agriculture, or agribusiness.

A system of commercial farming that relies heavily on mechanization and the use of chemicals.

What is the Green Revolution?

A period of agricultural transformation characterized by high-yield varieties, the use of fertilizers and irrigation, leading to increased food production.

Why did global grain production increase dramatically from 1950 onwards?

Advancements in agricultural technology and practices, especially in developing nations.

What are the benefits of mechanization in farming?

Increased efficiency, economies of scale, and reduced labor costs.

Why are single crop farms more efficient for machine use?

They allow for specialization and optimized use of machinery.

Why does industrial agriculture require the use of fertilizers?

To significantly enhance crop yield and compensate for nutrient depletion in soils.

Define organic fertilizers.

Natural fertilizers derived from plant or animal matter.

Define synthetic fertilizers.

Manufactured chemical fertilizers designed to promote plant growth.

What is one positive effect and two negative effects of synthetic fertilizers?

Positive: Increases crop yields; Negative: Soil degradation, water pollution.

What is waterlogging?

Excess water in the soil that can harm crops.

What is salinization?

The accumulation of salts in soil that can lead to reduced agricultural productivity.

What are pesticides?

Chemicals used to kill pests that threaten crops.

Differentiate between herbicides and insecticides.

Herbicides target weeds, while insecticides target insects.

What is the difference between broad spectrum and narrow spectrum pesticides?

Broad spectrum pesticides kill a wide range of pests, while narrow spectrum pesticides target specific pests.

What are three negative impacts of pesticide usage?

Human health risks, environmental pollution, and harm to non-target species.

Define monocropping.

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area.

What are the four main monocrops in the United States?

Corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice.

What are the main benefits of monocropping?

Increased efficiency, streamlined planting and harvesting, and simplified pest management.

What are the potential environmental degradations caused by monocropping?

Loss of biodiversity, soil depletion, and increased vulnerability to pests.

What is genetic engineering in agriculture?

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.

How can GMOs increase crop yield?

By introducing traits that enhance growth, resistance to pests, and adaptability to environmental conditions.

Why is GMO salmon beneficial to food production?

It grows faster than conventional salmon, leading to increased food availability.

What are the three major controversies surrounding GMOs?

Health risks, environmental impacts, and ethical concerns.

What are the three major crops that are GMO in the US?

Corn, soybeans, and cotton, with high GMO percentages in each.

What are researchers studying about human consumption of GMOs?

Potential long-term health effects and safety.

What are the possible detrimental effects of GMO crops on biodiversity?

Reduction in genetic diversity, leading to increased vulnerability of crops.

Differentiate GMO food use in the United States versus the European Union.

The US generally accepts GMOs while the EU has strict regulations and labeling requirements.

Define energy subsidy in agriculture.

The use of energy inputs, often from fossil fuels, to enhance agricultural production.

What is the energy subsidy for producing 1kg of beef from 20kg of grain?

The energy subsidy is 20:1.

What energy source is most associated with the energy subsidy in production?

Fossil fuels.

Why do hunting & gathering and small scale farming have low energy subsidies?

They rely on natural processes and less energy intensive practices.

Why do far-offshore fishing and feedlot beef have high energy subsidies?

They require significant energy inputs for transportation and feed production.

Why does a consumer who eats a supermarket diet have a higher energy subsidy?

Supermarket diets typically rely on highly processed, energy-intensive food production methods.

What is plowing in agriculture and its benefits?

The practice of turning over soil to prepare for planting, improving aeration and nutrient availability.

Define tilling.

The process of preparing soil for planting by turning it over.

What are the benefits of combined plowing and tilling?

Improved soil structure and enhanced nutrient availability.

What are four major disadvantages of plowing and tilling?

Soil erosion, disruption of soil ecology, loss of organic matter, and increased runoff.

Define slash-and-burn agriculture.

A farming technique that involves cutting and burning forests to create fields for agriculture.

Why are nutrients quickly depleted in slash-and-burn agriculture?

The quick cycling of nutrients leads to rapid depletion in poor soils.

What are two detrimental effects of shifting agriculture on the environment?

Deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

Why is slash-and-burn agriculture a major source of CO2 and climate change?

It releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide stored in trees and soil.

How does slash-and-burn agriculture contribute to air pollution?

It produces particulate matter and other pollutants through burning vegetation.

What are the major nutrients found in synthetic fertilizers?

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

What are three advantages of using synthetic fertilizers in agriculture?

Increased crop yields, improved nutrient availability, and consistency in nutrient content.

How does synthetic fertilizer production contribute to climate change?

It involves fossil fuel consumption and emits greenhouse gases during production.

What is another major environmental consequence of using synthetic fertilizers?

Water pollution due to runoff leading to eutrophication.