Limiting Factors 2
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 6.1.10
Limiting Factors 2
An understanding of limiting factors is important for plant production in greenhouses. Farmers must evaluate the trade-off (balance) between the costs of lighting and heating, and the rate of photosynthesis that is possible.
Increasing yield
- Lighting, heating and carbon dioxide enrichment (adding CO2) in greenhouses increase the rate of photosynthesis that is possible.
- A high rate of photosynthesis means that crops grow faster and the total yield is bigger.
Cost
- However, if lighting and heating are very expensive, it may not be possible to spend money on increasing the light intensity and temperature of a greenhouse.
- Farmers must evaluate the trade-off between the costs of lighting and heating, and the increased rate of photosynthesis that is possible. This is affected by the climate the farmer lives in.
Test yourself on Limiting Factors 2
What happens if a farmer increases the lighting, heating and carbon dioxide in a greenhouse?