The diagram shows a four-year crop rotation planned for a mixed farm. Each field has the same area. The farmer wants to maintain soil fertility, avoid a bui...
Question 1 Report
The diagram shows a four-year crop rotation planned for a mixed farm. Each field has the same area. The farmer wants to maintain soil fertility, avoid a build-up of pests and obtain a reliable production of food for people and animals.
(a) Describe the sequence of crops shown in Fig. 1, starting with wheat. [3]
(b) Explain why growing beans can reduce the amount of nitrogen fertiliser needed for a later crop. [3]
(c) State two reasons why a farmer may rotate crops rather than grow wheat every year. [2]
(d) Complete the calculation. A field produces 6.4 tonnes of wheat from an area of 2.0 hectares. Calculate the crop yield in tonnes per hectare.
crop yield = __________ tonnes per hectare [2]
Answer Details
(a) Starting with wheat, the sequence is wheat followed by beans, then cabbage, then clover, before wheat is grown again. [3]
(b) Bean roots contain bacteria that fix nitrogen, converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds. These compounds become available in the soil. A later crop can use them to make proteins for growth, reducing the nitrogen fertiliser needed. [3]
(c) Crop rotation reduces the build-up of crop-specific pests and diseases. It can also prevent depletion of particular mineral ions, improve soil structure, and provide varied products. Any two are required. [2]
(d)
\[\text{crop yield}=\frac{6.4\text{ tonnes}}{2.0\text{ hectares}}=3.2\text{ tonnes per hectare}\]
[2]
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