Primary Productivity in Farming
Farming practices attempt to maximise productivity by increasing the efficiency of energy transfer. Ways to improve primary productivity are described below.
Efficiency of energy transfer
- Farming practices are used to maximise the efficiency of energy transfer.
- This increases how much energy is available for human consumption.
- Efficiency of energy transfer is increased by:
- Simplifying food webs.
- Reducing respiratory losses.
Overcoming limiting factors
- Overcoming limiting factors to photosynthesis helps to maximise primary productivity. This can be done by:
- Maximising plant exposure to light.
- Using warmer temperatures in greenhouses.
- Irrigation to maximise water supply.
Fertilisers
- Fertilisers can be sprayed on fields to maintain nutrient levels in the soil.
- High nutrient levels in the soil help plants convert energy to biomass efficiently.
Pesticides
- Using pesticides removes any pests that might spoil the crop.
- Removing pests prevents the loss of biomass.
- Herbicides kill weeds and reduce competition for resources like sunlight or soil nutrients.
- Fungicides prevent fungal diseases.
