Methods to increase yield through artificial environments

True or False TPS We consume far more than we grow. YDNHTWTD

True or False TPS We consume far more than we grow. Read p132 YDNHTWTD

FALSE We grow more than we consume so we sell the extra.

True or False TPS We don’t need to worry about growing more crops of grain or trees. We have lots! YDNHTWTD

FALSE

We have to worry about…

SUSTAINABILITY….

We have to worry about… SUSTAINABILITY…. Balancing the amount we produce with what the environment can withstand.

We have to worry about… RUNNING OUT OF SPACE…. -urban sprawl -running out of land to grow crops

Review: What are the requirements for growing plants? YDNHTWTD

Light Temperature Moisture Soil YDNHTWTD

True or False TPS Soil is an amazing natural community with millions of residents per cubic metre. YDNHTWTD

True or False Soil is an amazing natural community with millions of residents per cubic metre. Read p149 YDNHTWTD

FALSE its billions!

YDNHTWTD Blind Contour Drawing -draw what you see without looking at what you are drawing -share your drawing with a partner Modified Contour Drawing -Draw what you see while looking at your drawing -Share your drawing with a partner Describe using words What do you see? What does it feel like? What does it remind you of? What do you wonder? -What tests would you like to do? -What else?

Parent material – the type of mineral from which the soil developed

Three types of parent material.. Rock, sand, and clay

The type of parent material has different components -organic matter -particle size -water holding ability

Write a prediction of how you think each soil (clay, rock, sand, loam) would respond to drainage, organic or particle size. 2 of each station

Now, visit each station to do the Particle Test, Organic Matter Tests and Drainage Test. p in textbook

Other types of soil include: Humus, peat moss, silt YDNHTWTD

What type of soil do you think was your soil? Clay? Sand? Rock? Silt? Humus? Loam? Peat? YDNHTWTD

Napkin Sandwich Poem On your napkin write a poem using the descriptors for your soil. Sandwich the descriptors in between the type of soil you have.

YDNHTWTD DIRT Brown, messy, muddy My mom hates it in the house But we need it for plants to grow. DIRT

YDNHTWTD

Fertility – the ability to grow plants and provide the nutrients for life

Let’s go outside to see what type of soils we have in our area and the type of plants that grow in that soil. YDNHTWTD

Match the plant to the type of soil. What are its adaptations? YDNHTWTD

Clay – Daisies, grass, “weeds”, tough roots Sand – cactus, succulents, thick leaves, sand has glass Rock – moss, lichen, small plants

Loam – trees, flowers, top soil Silt – willow, bushes along river Peat – high in nitrogen, fruits Humus - vegetables YDNHTWTD

CLAY SILT SAND HUMUS PEAT LOAM ROCK CLAY ROCK PEAT HUMUS LOAM

Identify that Soil… Grab a whiteboard and identify that soil! Grab a whiteboard and identify that soil!

SILT

Rock

LOAM

HUMUS

SAND

PEAT

CLAY

How do certain practices enhance or degrade soils?

Close your eyes and imagine a place either artificial or natural that would be perfect for growing plants… What would grow there? What would the conditions be like? What would be the impact on our environment? What would be the benefit to humans?

Now we are going to create that future. You will visit each table and add to the ideas that are there.  Don’t worry about money, or how the idea is going to work  Do not judge or mock the ideas  Stick to the topic at each table.

What are the current practices of producing plants for food and fibre that we are using to try and meet our needs?

1) Shape of the Landscape – affects the flow of water which can bring new soil and nutrients

2) Soil Erosion – due to loss of vegetation - logging - cows drinking along a stream - wind and water erosion - loss of organic matter p157

3. Salinization: salty soil, due to too little vegetation and too much water p156

Review the techniques for Saving the Soil from Erosion Textbook p

Take out a whiteboard and try and match the type of technique to the picture.

Shelterbelts – reduce wind damage

Crop rotation – certain plants have a relationship with bacteria to return nitrogen back to the soil like clover

Strip Farming -Especially used in windy areas to prevent soil from blowing away

Protective vegetation cover -the roots of the plants help prevent the soil from blowing or leaching away.

Irrigation -Used in dry areas or during dry parts of the seasons -Very costly

Zero Tillage -By not disturbing the soil to plant, prevent the loss of soil to the air

Contour farming -Used on steep slopes to prevent soil from falling down the hill -Used in windy areas as well.

Growing crops without soil

-Hydroponics p160 -Aquaponics p160 -Bryophytes

Improving the Soil Quality -Fertilizers What do the numbers mean?

Consequences of using Fertilizers…risks and benefits.

Algae Blooms

Yield = how much food or fibre they produce

With fertilizer Without Fertilizer

Selective Breeding - When specific plants are chosen with particular characteristics to reproduce p115

True or False Plants are bred to withstand environmental conditions, how much food they produce and resistance to disease.

True - Hardiness = ability to withstand certain environmental conditions

But they are also bred for: - Smell -Colour -Taste -Firm flesh -Strong stems -No seeds

True or False Selective Breeding can occur by selecting certain plants to reproduce.

True or False Selective Breeding can occur by selecting certain plants to reproduce p117

FALSE – also through genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering is also called…

Genetic engineering is also called… genetic modification.

Examples include…

-Peanuts that do not cause an allergic reaction -Tomatoes that ripen more slowly

Can result in monocultures…

Crops of plants that are genetically identical -problems?

As you look at our Vision for a sustainable method of growing plants, what are some of your ideas for creative solutions to meet our needs? IKEA

What are the steps and requirements you would have to take to put your creative solution into action?

Plant Exit Slip