Human beings have learned the art and science of cultivating plants and animals over several thousands of years.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn agriculture actually, we are applying the knowledge of ecosystem, i.e. the relationship between the biotic and abiotic factors as well as the interaction between biotic factors.
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\r\nHowever differing from a natural ecosystem where various types of organisms live and grow naturally, in agriculture fields one or a few selected plants or animals only are grown.
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\r\nFor any given crop farmers maintain favorable conditions in the ecosystems made by them (crop field) for a period of time during which seeds are sown, plants grow, pollination takes place, fruit or grains come and then the crop matures.
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\r\nLike you know in paddy field the only paddy is allowed to grow and all other plants present are removed. In crop field ecosystems where the plants such as rice, wheat vegetables etc. are cultivated farmers exploit the relationship between the abiotic factors and producers. For instance, when they add manure to their farm they increase the abiotic factors (nutrients) required for the growth of their plants. Similarly, when they remove pest insects they are eliminating the consumers that will eat the plants (producers) and reduce its growth. Cropland ecosystem like all other artificial ecosystems requires constant intervention by humans. Otherwise, it will degenerate and crop loss would be the result.
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\r\nWatch the video given below to see various steps of developing a paddy field ecosystem
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\u200b Video courtesy: Tom Kiron
\r\nDiscussion
\r\nWhy do we take out the weeds that grow in the cropland?
Human beings have learned the art and science of cultivating plants and animals over several thousands of years.
\r\n
\r\nIn agriculture actually, we are applying the knowledge of ecosystem, i.e. the relationship between the biotic and abiotic factors as well as the interaction between biotic factors.
\r\n
\r\nHowever differing from a natural ecosystem where various types of organisms live and grow naturally, in agriculture fields one or a few selected plants or animals only are grown.
\r\n
\r\nFor any given crop farmers maintain favorable conditions in the ecosystems made by them (crop field) for a period of time during which seeds are sown, plants grow, pollination takes place, fruit or grains come and then the crop matures.
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nLike you know in paddy field the only paddy is allowed to grow and all other plants present are removed. In crop field ecosystems where the plants such as rice, wheat vegetables etc. are cultivated farmers exploit the relationship between the abiotic factors and producers. For instance, when they add manure to their farm they increase the abiotic factors (nutrients) required for the growth of their plants. Similarly, when they remove pest insects they are eliminating the consumers that will eat the plants (producers) and reduce its growth. Cropland ecosystem like all other artificial ecosystems requires constant intervention by humans. Otherwise, it will degenerate and crop loss would be the result.
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\r\nWhy do we take out some plants we call them the weed that grows in the cropland?
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\r\nLet's talk about a fish farm.
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\r\nThere are fish farms, which grow only those varieties of fish that eat algae. For instance, a fish known as tilapia. It consumes a good amount of algae along with the artificial food given in the farm ponds.
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\r\nFarmers introduce cow dung, guano etc. to the pond. Decomposers break down the abiotic components and release nutrients. With the help of these abiotic components and light algae grows in the pond.
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\r\nEating these algae, Tilapia fish will grow and increase in the number.
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\r\nIf the fish are hungrier they will consume more algae. When the number of fish increases in the pond they will need more algae to eat, which in turn will reduce the number of algae present in the pond. Lack of availability of food will lead to the starvation of fish and even their death.
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\r\nIn order to avoid such a disaster farmers constantly check their pond and make sure that enough food is available for the fish they grow. They learn how to maintain the delicate balance between algae and fish in the pond.
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\r\nLet us play a game where you take the role of a fish farmer the farmer growing fish, which eats only algae.