4.3. Agricultural Practices and Processes

What are three kinds of chemicals used in agriculture?

Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides

Give an example of what, other than a chemical, organic farmers use to control pests?

Natural PesticidesFor example, neem oil, extracted from the neem tree, is a powerful insecticide that disrupts the life cycle of pests without harming beneficial insects. Similarly, pyrethrin, derived from chrysanthemum flowers, is effective against a wide range of insects, including aphids and caterpillars.

On which four crops are the majority of chemicals in agriculture used?

corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat.

What is an important argument for and against the use of agricultural pesticides on crops?

controlling harmful pests, diseases and invasive plants that can impact crops and the natural environment.

How do pesticides spread in the environment?

Pesticides may move with runoff as compounds dissolved in the water or attached to soil particles.

Explain how pest populations can, over time, become resistant to a pesticide.

a small proportion of the pest population may survive exposure to the material due to their distinct genetic makeup.

What are two ways ancient farmers used to control pests. (Video)

1. Natural Predators: They introduced animals like birds or insects that fed on pests, helping to balance the ecosystem.

2. Crop Rotation: By changing the types of crops grown in different fields each season, they disrupted pest cycles and prevented pests from settling in one place.

Explain simply what hydroponics is

Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil,

How is the use of water in hydroponic farming an improvement over conventional farming?

use up to 10 times less water than traditional agricultural methods

What are two possible disadvantages of hydroponics?

• High Setup Cost: The initial investment in equipment like pumps, grow lights, and nutrient systems can be expensive.

• Technical Knowledge: It requires specialized knowledge to manage nutrient levels, water pH, and system maintenance, which can be complex for beginners.

What are the two main types of biofuels and how are they manufactured?

The two most common types of biofuels in use today are ethanol and biodiesel