CROP PRODUCTION

BIOTIC FACTORS.  

These are living organisms that affect agricultural production.  

Biotic factors influencing agriculture can be divided into the following classes.

 Crop pests: stalk borer damaging maize in the field

 Decomposers: Cause rotting of organic matter there by releasing nutrients for crop growth.

They help in improving soil structure through incorporating organic matter into the soil.

 Nitrogen fixing Bacteria: Nitrogen fixing bacteria are found in root nodules of leguminous

plants. Improve crop production through increasing soil nitrogen content which crops require

for proper growth.

 Livestock parasites: suck blood and transmit diseases to animals

 Pollinators: Bee pollinating maize flower. Pollination in crop production increases yields and viability of seeds.

 Predators: Eagles can eat chicken, rabbits among other livestock. Eagle can also eat insects and pests for example rats, moles and birds which destroy crops.

 Pathogens: Causes diseases in livestock and crops thereby lowering quality of produce.

Increase cost of production when control measures are implemented. Introduce toxic  substances into agricultural products thereby lowering the quality of the produce. Can cause death to crops and animals.

Effects of Biotic Factors on Agricultural Production

1. Pests  Feed on crops thereby lowering quantity of agricultural produce.

•Feed on grains thereby affecting viability of the seeds

•Act as disease vectors

•Lower palatability of crop produce

•Increase cost of production when control methods are applied

•Create entry points for disease causing organisms

2. Parasites Irritate livestock

• Causes anemia in livestock

• Some block alimentary canal

• Lower rate of production in livestock

• Increase cost of production when controlled

• Some lower quality of hides and skins

• Some absorb food meant for the livestock thereby lowering the level of production.

• Some for-example ticks transmit disease causing organisms.