Intensive Farming - Crop Yield
Biology: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 6.1.1
Increasing Crop Yield
The yield of food produced by farmers can be improved by intensive farming methods to help feed the growing human population.
Glasshouses
- Lighting, heating and higher carbon dioxide levels in glasshouses increase the rate of photosynthesis that is possible.
- A high rate of photosynthesis means that crops grow faster and the total yield is bigger.
Polythene tunnels
- Polythene tunnels are cheaper to construct than glasshouses.
- Like glasshouses, farmers can use them to increase temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide levels to increase photosynthesis and crop yield.