Biotic Factors Affecting Agricultural Production

Topic Content:

Biotic factors in an agricultural ecosystem refer to the living organisms that influence the ecosystem dynamics and processes. These organisms can directly or indirectly impact agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Biotic factors in an agricultural ecosystem include:

1. Soil Organisms:

These include earthworms, rodents, termites, fungi and bacteria.

Effects of Soil Organisms on Agricultural Production:

a. Soil organisms like fungi and bacteria can cause plant diseases.

b. Some help in the decomposition of plant materials to form humus.

c. Some reduce the quality and quantity of crops, for example, Potato and Yam.

d. Some open up wounds in plants or animals for other pathogens to penetrate.

e. Some aid aeration of soil, percolationPercolation is the downward movement of water through soil layers due to gravity and capillary forces. More and fertility.

2. Pests:

These include insects, rodents, birds and some mammals (Monkeys)

Effects of Pests on Agricultural Production:

a. Reduce the yield