ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION (CROPAND ANIMAL DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTION)

CLIMATE: This is defined as the average weather condition of a place measured over a long period of time.

FACTORS OF CLIMATE: It includes rainfall, relative humidity, temperature, light, wind, pressure.

Each of the factors has its own influence on agriculture. This is shown by the distribution of vegetation and crops in the climatic zones. The result is that when the soil condition is favourable, thick evergreen forest develops.

1). RAINFALL: Is defined as the amount and distribution of water precipitation within a given time in a given area.

RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION AND PATTERN

West Africa is known for its high temperature throughout the year. It is brought about by the south- west monsoon trade wind blowing from the Atlantic Ocean.

The wind blowing from the ocean to the inland drops some water. A narrow part of the coast has rainfall throughout the year against the rest of the region. As we move from the coast, the amount of rainfall decreases. By the time the wind get to the northern part of the country, there is little or no moisture left in it. Here, less rainfall is experienced per year. In the coastal area, the raining season ranges from 8 months to the all year round while in the north, raining season lasts only 3 to 4 months. The moisture required affects crop and livestock production. In the coastal areas more of the southern parts, crops adapted to heavy rainfall predominantly trees, yam, maize, rice, fruit, banana, etc. Much animal rearing does not take place here due to high humidity rate which exposes the animals to tsetse fly infection.

Only animals which can resist the attack of trypanosomiasis can be seen in this area. Examples are N’dama and Muturu breeds of cattle, dwarf sheep and goat, poultry. Those crops that can thrive well in the northern part with little rainfall or resistance to drought are guinea corn, millet, groundnut, cowpeas, cotton etc.

EVALUATION

What is rainfall?
List those crops that perform well in the Northern part and Southern part of Nigeria

IMPORTANCE/EFFECT OF RAINFALL

It determines the distribution of crops and animals.
It helps to dissolve nutrients in the soil making it available for plant use
It is necessary for seed germination.
Excessive rainfall leads to leaching of nutrients and causes soil erosion.
It determines the type of vegetation of an area.
Insufficient rainfall causes crop failure and poor yield.

2). TEMPERATURE: Is defined as a measure of the heat energy which a body contains or the degree of hotness or coolness of a place, at a point in time. Temperature varies from the coastal areas to extreme north. In the dry season, temperature is not high in the coaster area as against the north which is extremely high.

IMPORTANCE/EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE

1 It affects the distribution of crops and animals.

Necessary for germination of seed.
Unfavorable temperature may result in seed dormancy
High temperature may cause premature dropping of fruits and sudden death of livestock in heat stress.
High temperature reduces the performance of livestock.

3). SUNLIGHT

IMPORTANCE/INFLUENCE

It is necessary for photosynthesis.
It affects the rate of production in poultry.
It affects evapo- transpiration.

4). WIND

INFLUENCE/IMPORTANCE

1) High wind may cause wind erosion.

2) It aids seed and fruit dispersal

3) It can aid pollination and spread of disease.

4) It helps in the distribution of rainfall and changes in seasons e.g. rainy and dry season

5) High wind velocity causes damages to crops.

5). RELATIVE HUMIDITY

INFLUENCE

It results in the formation of rain.
It affects the performance of crops and animals
High humidity in poultry causes moldiness of feed and litters.
Low humidity leads to heat stress in animals.
Relative humidity determines the type of pests prevalent in an area.
High relative humidity forms the re-growth of disease pathogen.

GENERAL EVALUATION

What is climate?
Discuss the importance of rainfall in agriculture.
What is temperature?
What is the difference between a farm and a farmstead?
Outline five principles of farmstead layout.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

The climatic factors affecting the production of animals and plants include the following except rainfall B. temperature C. pests and disease D. sunlight
Factors of climate include the following except Rainfall B. temperature C. light D.vapour (cloud)
Which of the following is not a function of the forestry department ? Routine vaccination of wild animal B. conservation of forest resources C. specification of size of tree to be felled D. grading of timbers for export
The taungya system of farming… A. integrates arable crops with forestry gives priority of land use to arable crops C. gives priority of land use to forestry D. encourages establishment of game reserves
Which of the following is not an edaphic factor affecting agricultural production?
Soil pH B. Soil texture C. Soil organism D. soil type

THEORY

1 (a) Define forest

(b) Outline eight uses of the forest and its resources.

2 Write brief notes on the following.

(a) Forest regulation (b) Selective exploration (c) Afforestation (d) Reforestation

BIOTIC FACTORS OR BIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING CROPS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTION

PREDATORS: These are living organisms that prey or feed on other organisms. Examples are birds, rodents, insects, etc. Some are beneficial and some destructive. Some control harmful pests of crop and animals, others feed on other animals e.g. hawk etc.

2.PARASITES (PARASITISM): A parasite is an organism which lives on or in another living organism known as the host. It obtains its food from the body of its living host. Often, a parasite harms its host by causing diseases or death.

TYPES OF PARASITES

ENDOPARASITE: – These are parasites which live inside or within the body of other animals. e.g. liver fluke, tapeworm, roundworm or ascaris.
ECTOPARASITE: – Parasites that live outside or on the host. Example tick, lice, mites, insect bugs, fleas, etc.
SOIL ORGANISM: Soil organism can be classified into micro organism or macro organism.

Microorganisms are bacteria, virus etc, while macro organisms are rodents, termite, centipedes etc. Some like bacteria and fungi can cause disease, some aid aeration in soil, hence improving soil fertility. Some like root nodule bacteria can fix nutrients directly to plant and soils. Some help in the decomposition of plant and animal material to form humus.

PESTS: These organisms cause damage or destroy crops either in the field or in stores. They include insect, rodents, birds and some animal e.g. monkeys. They reduce the yield of crops and animals thereby reducing the farmer’s income. Some are vectors or carriers of diseases .The cost of their control increases the cost of production.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1 What are pests?

2 State five examples of pest.

DISEASES

Disease is a situation in plants or animals in which there is a deviation of the plant or animal from normal state of health. Disease can be caused by pathogens which are virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa etc. They cause reduction in the yield of crops and animals. They can cause loss or death of plants and animals. The cost of control increases the cost of production which affects the income of the farmers.

MUTUALISM (SYMBIOSIS)

In mutualism, two organisms live together for the mutual benefit of each other. Termites and the protozoa living in their guts are mutualistic. The protozoa receive protection from termites; it helps in the breakdown of food in termites. The protozoa help them to digest it.

WEEDS: They compete with crops for space, water, nutrients and sunlight. Some may harbour diseases and pest. They reduce the yield of crops. The control increases the cost of production.

EDAPHIC FACTORS OR PHYSICAL FACTORS

1 SOIL pH: This is the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil.

It affects the growth of plant.
It affects the availability of soil nutrients to plant.
It affects the presence of soil micro-organisms

2 SOIL TEXTURE: This is the measure of fineness or coarseness of soil samples.

It determines the type of soil in an area.
It determines the level of soil fertility.
It determines the type of crops to be grown.
It affects the level of leaching and erosion of the soil.

3 SOIL STRUCTURE: This is the physical appearance of the soil according to the way individual particles are packed or arranged.

It determines the fertility of the soil.
It determines the water retaining capacity of the soil
It determines the level of aeration.
It determines the level of micro-organism

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

What is soil structure?
Define soil texture.
What is soil pH?
State three features of soil texture
List out any five soil organisms

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Which of the following is not an edaphic factor affecting agricultural production? A. Soil pH soil texture C. soil organic D. soil type
Plant and animal remains allowed to decay in the heap is referred to as. A. Farmyard manure compost C. green manure D. inorganic manure
Which of the following is a primary product of forest trees? Pulp B. timber
paper D. cardboard.
Which of the following practices can prevent excessive evaporation from soil surfaces? mulching B. weeding C. harrowing D.ploughing
The appearance of the soil according to the way individual particles are packed or arranged is called A. soil structure soil texture C. soil pH D. soil profile
The following are endo-parasites of livestock except A. roundworm B. tapeworm
liver fluke D. earthworm.

THEORY

1) Discuss briefly five biotic factors that affect crops and animals distribution.

2) State three edaphic factors affecting crops and animals distribution