WEEK TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Climate is defined as the average weather condition of a place, measured over a long period
of time (usually over 35 years).
Factors:
Rainfall Pressure
Temperature Light
Wind Radiant Energy
Relative humidity
Important of climate in Agriculture
i. Climate affects the duration of a cropping seasons
ii. ii. It determines the yield of crops
iii. It affects the incidence of pests
iv. It determines the type of livestock’s to be reared in the area
v. It affects the incidence of diseases
vi. It determines the types of crops to be grown on an area
The environmental factors affecting agricultural production are grouped into 3 major
classes
a. Climatic factor
b. Biotic factor
c. Edaphic factor
Climatic factors:
1. Rainfall: This is referring to the release of excess condensed water vapor in the atmosphere into the earth.
a. It determines the distribution of crops and animals
b. It is necessary for seed germination
c. It determines the type of vegetation in an area
d. It determines the season in Nigeria i.e rainy and dry season
e. The season also determines the type of crop to be grown
2. Drought: This refers to the lack of or insufficient rainfall in an area.
Effects of drought on plant growth and development
i. Poor crop establishment
ii.Wilting
iii. There is reduction in yield
iv. Possible death of plants
v. There is a reduction in photosynthesis
3. Temperature: is defined as the degree of hotness or coldness of a place.
Effects
i. Temperature is necessary for seed germination
ii. it affects the wilting of field crops, ripening and maturity of crops
iii. it affects the distribution of crops and animals
4. Wind: is defined as air in motion
Effects
i. It aids seeds and fruits dispersal
ii. It can aid pollution and spread of diseases
iii. It determines the season in Nigeria
5. Sunlight: is the amount of heat and the period the sunrays are received at a place
Effects
i. It is necessary for photosynthesis
ii. It affects evapo-transpiration
iii. It affects the productivity of a crop due to length of a day
iv. If affects the rate of production in poultry
6. Relative Humidity: refers to the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.
Effects
i. It effects in the formation of rain
ii. It determines the types of crops grown in an area
iii. It affects the growth rate of crops
