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The growth of crop plants, such as wheat, can be improved by the use of fertilisers and the control of pests - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 7
The growth of crop plants, such as wheat, can be improved by the use of fertilisers and the control of pests. Figure 13 shows the mass of grains produced by wheat p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The growth of crop plants, such as wheat, can be improved by the use of fertilisers and the control of pests - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 7 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
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Step 4
Explain why biological control would be more successful when a crop is grown under a clear plastic cover.
Answer
When a crop is under a clear plastic cover, the biological control agent is enclosed and cannot escape. This increases the likelihood that the agent will find, eat, or destroy pests, leading to less crop damage and potentially more yield.
Step 5
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of growing GM corn plants.
Answer
The advantages of growing GM corn plants include:
- Resistance to insects leads to less crop damage, resulting in a larger yield.
- GM corn plants produce a toxin that kills insects, which is not released into the environment, making it safer for farmers and beneficial insects.
- Reduced need for insecticides and pesticides results in lower management costs over the long term.
- Corn can be sprayed with weedkillers without affecting the crop, leading to better growth due to fewer weeds.
The disadvantages include:
- GM seeds are generally more expensive.
- The resistance genes could transfer to wild plants or weeds.
- Decreasing insect populations could impact biodiversity and food chains.
- Over time, insects could become resistant to the toxin produced by GM corn, making pest control more challenging in the future.