ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

These factors are grouped into three,

1. Climatic factor
2. Biotic factor
3. Edaphic factor

CLIMATIC FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long period. The elements of climate are: rainfall, humidity, light, temperature, drought, wind, sunlight, humidity e.t.c.

RAINFALL

Rainfall is defined as the release of excess condensed water vapour into the atmosphere into the earth.

1. It determines the distribution of crops and animals.
2. It is necessary for seed germination.
3. Excessive rainfall leads to leaching.
4. It helps to dissolve nutrients, making it available for the plants.
5. It determines the types of vegetation in an area.
6. It determines seasons in Nigeria.
7. Insufficient rainfall causes crop failure and poor yield.

DROUGHT

This is defined as a lack of or insufficient rainfall in the area.

EFFECTS

1. It causes a delay in flowering and flower abortion.
2. Poor crop establishment.
3. It leads to a reduction in leaf area.
4. It reduces the physiological process due to protoplasm dehydration.
5. A decrease in the production of green matter.
6. Reduction in photosynthesis.
7. It causes wilting.
8. It causes the death of plants and plant failure.

TEMPERATURE

This is the degree of hotness and coldness of a place.

1. Temperature is necessary for the germination of seeds.
2. It affects the distribution of crops and animals.
3. Too hot or too cold temperatures do not favour plant and animal growth.
4. Unfavourable temperature may result in dormancy.
5. High temperature affects evapotranspiration and reduces the performance of livestock.
6. It affects the wilting of field crops, the ripening and the maturity of crops.
7. It affects microbial activities about mineralisation.
8. High temperature leads to loss of soil minerals by volatilisation.
9. High temperature causes abortion in farm animals.
10. High temperatures will cause heat stress and egg drop in poultry.

WIND

Wind is defined as air in motion.

1. High wind velocity may cause wind erosion.
2. It aids seed and fruit dispersal.
3. It can aid pollination and the spread of diseases.
4. It helps in the distribution of rainfall and changes in seasons.
5. High wind velocity causes damage to crops eg, Lodging.
6. It affects evapotranspiration.

SUNLIGHT/SUNSHINE/ SOLAR RADIATION

Sunshine is the amount of heat and the period the sun’s rays are received at a place.

1. Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis.
2. It affects evapotranspiration.
3. It affects the productivity of crops due to the length of lay, i.e photoperiodism.
4. Light affects the rising and roosting of animals.
5. It affects the rate of production in poultry.
6. It determines the productivity of cultivated crops.
7. Solar radiation is a source of farm power.
8. It assists in the drying of crops.
9. It assists in photosynthesis in crops.
10. High intensity causes heat stress in animals.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

Relative Humidity is defined as the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.

1. It results in the formation of rain.
2. It affects the performance of plants and animals.
3. It causes mouldiness of feeds and litters.
4. Low humidity causes aridity or dryness.
5. It determines the type of crops grown in an area.
6. Low humidity leads to heat stress in animals, e.g cattle, poultry, pigs.
7. It determines the type of crops grown in an area.
8. High humidity favours the growth of pathogens.
9. It affects feed and water intake in animals.

EVALUATION

1. List five climate factors affecting agricultural production.
2. State two effects of rainfall.

BIOTIC FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

SOIL ORGANISMS

1. These include bacteria, fungi, earthworms, rodents and termites.
2. Bacteria and fungi can cause diseases.
3. Some aid aeration of soil, percolation and fertility.
4. Root nodules of bacteria can fix nutrients directly to plants and soil.
5. Help in the decomposition of plant materials to form humus.

PESTS

1. These include insects, rodents, birds and some mammals.
2. They reduce the yield of crops and animals.
3. They reduce the quality of crops and animals.
4. Some are vectors or carriers of diseases.
5. They reduce the income of farmers.
6. They increase the cost of production.

PARASITES

1. They include ticks, liver flukes, tapeworms, dodder, mistletoe and like.
2. Some transit diseases.
3. They reduce the quantity or yield of production.
4. They reduce the quality of the yield.
5. They cause the death of plants and animals.
6. They reduce the production capacity of livestock or crops.
7. The cost of control increases the cost of production.
8. They reduce farmers’ income.

EVALUATION

1. List four biotic factors affecting agricultural production.
2. List two effects each of soil organism pests, parasites and diseases on agricultural production.

EDAPHIC FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

SOIL PH

1. It affects the growth of plants.
2. It also affects the availability of soil nutrients to plants.
3. It affects the presence of soil microorganisms.
4. It causes toxicity to plants and animals in the soil.

SOIL TEXTURE

1. It determines the type of soil in an area.
2. It determines the level of soil fertility.
3. It determines the type of crop to be grown.
4. It affects the level of leaching and erosion.

SOIL STRUCTURE

1. It determines the fertility of the soil.
2. It determines the water-holding capacity of the soil.
3. It determines the level of soil organisms.
4. It determines the level of soil aeration and percolation.

TOPOGRAPHY

This is the shape of the land under the underlying rocks of the Earth’s surface.

1. A steep, gentle slope gives rise to soil erosion.
2. Steep, gentle slopes may also aid the weathering of rocks.
3. Even or flat slopes can lead to the accumulation of soil.
4. Even and flat slopes can be better sites for the intensive farm.

SOIL FERTILITY

1. Fertile soils aid the production of food and cash crops.
2. A fertile soil produces better forage crops.
3. It minimises the use of fertiliser.
4. It leads to the multiplication of beneficial soil organisms.
5. Fertile soil leads to a reduction in the cost of production.

SOIL TYPES

1. The types include sandy, clay and loamy soil.
2. Loamy soil is the best for agriculture.
3. Sandy soil does not contain enough nutrients, hence it cannot support plant growth.
4. Sandy soil encourages leaching.
5. Clay soil prevents leaching but encourages waterlogging.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. List five edaphic factors affecting agricultural production.
2. List five biotic factors affecting agricultural production.
3. List three effects of solar radiation on agricultural production.
4. State five problems associated with irrigation.
5. State five effects of temperature on agricultural production.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The following are climate factors except (a) soil types, (b) humidity, (c) temperature (d) light
2. Which of the following is not an edaphic factor:r (a) soil PH, (b) soil fertility, (c) soil water, (d) topography
3. The following are types of erosion except ____ (a) splash, (b) rill, (c) sheet, (d) mulch
4. The washing away of soil nutrients down beyond the reach of the root is ___ (a) erosion, (b) leaching, (c) mulching, (d) staking
5. High humidity is responsible for ____ (a) dryness, (b) water logging, (c) rainfall,l (d) erosion

SECTION B

1. Discuss four biotic factors affecting agricultural production
2. State two effects of each of soil PH, soil texture and rainfall on Agricultural production

See also

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE

SURVEYING AND PLANNING OF FARM STEAD

FARM MACHINERY

FACTORS OF SOIL FORMATION

SOIL