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Outline the strategies, other than crop rotation, employed by organic farmers and environmentally conscious growers in dealing with: (i) weeds (ii) invertebrate pests (iii) fungal diseases. - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2013
Question a
Outline the strategies, other than crop rotation, employed by organic farmers and environmentally conscious growers in dealing with: (i) weeds (ii) invertebrate pe... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline the strategies, other than crop rotation, employed by organic farmers and environmentally conscious growers in dealing with: (i) weeds (ii) invertebrate pests (iii) fungal diseases. - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2013
Step 1
(i) weeds
Answer
Organic farmers employ several methods to manage weeds effectively without relying on crop rotation. These include:
- Tilling Operations: Regular tilling helps to uproot weeds, disrupting their growth cycle.
- Hand Weeding: Manual removal of weeds ensures that they do not compete with crops.
- Certified Seeds: Using certified seeds can help, as they are less likely to carry weed seeds.
- Growth Encouragement: Promoting the growth of desired plants can outcompete unwanted weeds.
- Scuffling and Hoeing: These techniques disturb the soil and remove weeds effectively.
- Flaming: Using heat to kill emerging weeds is another environmentally friendly technique.
- Mulching: Applying a layer of organic or plastic mulch suppresses weed growth.
- Higher Seeding Rates: Sowing more seeds encourages crop density, shading out weeds.
- Undersowing: Planting a cover crop alongside main crops can help in weed control.
- Topping: Cutting off the heads of weeds prevents seed dispersal.
- Sowing Clover: Planting clover can outcompete weeds and improve soil health.
Step 2
(ii) invertebrate pests
Answer
To manage invertebrate pests, organic farmers may use the following strategies:
- Biological Control: Introducing natural predators, such as ducks, geese, or ladybirds, helps control pest populations.
- Growth Encouragement: Cultivating a diverse ecosystem encourages beneficial insects.
- Physical Barriers: Using nets or fleeces to physically block pests from reaching plants.
- Early Harvesting: Harvesting crops earlier can minimize pest damage.
- Hygiene Practices: Maintaining cleanliness reduces pest habitats.
- Insect Traps: Employing traps can help monitor and reduce pest numbers.
- Companion Crops: Growing certain crops together can repel pests.
- Resistant Varieties: Planting pest-resistant crop varieties decreases the likelihood of infestation.
Step 3
(iii) fungal diseases
Answer
Strategies to combat fungal diseases include:
- Resistant Varieties: Choosing plant varieties that are less susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Removing Infected Parts: Regularly cleaning up by removing infected plants or parts prevents the spread of diseases.
- Earthing Up: Promoting healthy root systems helps mitigate fungal attacks.
- Bordeaux Mixture: Using this fungicide can effectively combat fungal pathogens.
- Growth Encouragement: Ensuring optimal plant health reduces vulnerability to diseases.
- Proper Plant Density: Spacing plants adequately improves air circulation and reduces humidity, limiting fungal growth.
- Low Nitrogen Regime: Managing nitrogen levels appropriately minimizes disease incidence.
- Timely Harvests: Harvesting at the right time reduces the chances of disease propagation.
- Ground Keepers: Ensuring the area is tended to prevent the establishment of disease-hosting weeds or debris.