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Farmers use artificial fertilisers to maintain or increase yield from grain-producing crop plants such as wheat - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 3 - 2017 - Paper 3
Question 3
Farmers use artificial fertilisers to maintain or increase yield from grain-producing crop plants such as wheat. Artificial fertiliser is used to replace mineral io... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Farmers use artificial fertilisers to maintain or increase yield from grain-producing crop plants such as wheat - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 3 - 2017 - Paper 3
Step 1
Step 2
Use these data to calculate the difference in the mass of grain produced per hectare in 1970 compared with 2005. Show your working.
Answer
From Figure 4:
- In 1970: Fertiliser response ratio = 4 kg grain/kg fertiliser
- In 2005: Fertiliser response ratio = 12 kg grain/kg fertiliser
We assume that the amount of fertiliser used per hectare remains the same:
- Let us say the amount of fertiliser used is 'F' kg.
For 1970:
- Grain produced = Response Ratio × F = 4F kg of grain per hectare.
For 2005:
- Grain produced = Response Ratio × F = 12F kg of grain per hectare.
Difference = Grain produced in 2005 - Grain produced in 1970: Difference = 12F - 4F = 8F kg per hectare.
Step 3
Use the data in Figure 4 to evaluate the use of artificial fertilisers on grain-producing crops in India.
Answer
The data indicate that the use of artificial fertilisers has increased significantly from 1970 to 2005 and that the fertiliser response ratio has also improved.
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Increased Yield: The increase in the fertiliser response ratio suggests that more grain can be produced per kg of fertiliser used over time. This indicates improved efficiency of fertiliser application.
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Sustainability Concerns: However, it is essential to consider that reliance on artificial fertilisers may lead to soil degradation over time, affecting long-term productivity.
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Cost-effectiveness: While yields may increase initially, the long-term cost-effectiveness of using high amounts of fertiliser requires evaluation, as there may be diminishing returns after a certain point.
Overall, while artificial fertilisers can enhance agricultural output, their sustainable use should be carefully managed.