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The growth of crop plants, such as wheat, can be improved by the use of fertilisers and the control of pests - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 7
The growth of crop plants, such as wheat, can be improved by the use of fertilisers and the control of pests. Figure 13 shows the mass of grains produced by wheat p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The growth of crop plants, such as wheat, can be improved by the use of fertilisers and the control of pests - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
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Step 4
Explain why biological control would be more successful when a crop is grown under a clear plastic cover.
Answer
When a crop is under a clear plastic cover, the biological control agent is enclosed and unable to escape. This means it is more likely to find, eat, or destroy pests, resulting in less crop damage and a higher yield.
Step 5
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of growing GM corn plants.
Answer
Advantages of GM corn plants include:
- Resistance to insects reduces crop damage, leading to a larger yield.
- GM plants produce a toxin that kills insects without being released into the environment, making it safer for beneficial insects.
- Less or no insecticide/pesticide is needed, making management cheaper over the long term.
- GM corn can be sprayed with weedkiller to kill weeds without affecting the crop, improving growth and yield.
Disadvantages include:
- GM seeds are generally more expensive.
- Resistance genes could be incorporated into wild plants or weeds, affecting biodiversity.
- Over time, insect populations may become resistant to the toxins produced.
- This could lead to pests becoming harder to control in the future.