Factors explaining the nature, spatial patterns and future directions of the selected economic activity - Biophysical; Climate, Soils, Topography

What makes a plant grow?! Plants get their nutrients from the water in the soil. It is important for the soil to be full of nutrients.

Climate Wheat is a mid-latitude crop, which grows between the latitudes 20 o and 60 o. Wheat grows best in a mild, dry climate, as climates that are too cold, hot or wet will ruin the crop.

Rainfall The amount of rainfall required for wheat cultivation varies between 30 cm and 100 cm. The major wheat lands of the temperate regions have an annual rainfall of 38 cm to 80 cm. Wheat is also grown in areas having lesser amount of rainfall, i.e., 25 cm. This has been done by adopting dry farming method. Also where irrigation facil­ities are available, wheat is cultivated in dry lands also.

Soil Soil holds the water and nutrients which are needed for plants to grow. Soil lets the roots hold on tight so the wheat plant can grow tall without falling over in a strong wind. Dead plants and animals rot and add nutrients to the soil. This is called organic matter or humus. The best part of the soil is the top layer which is called topsoil This contains the hummus.

Soil

Topography Most of the world's wheat lands are flat or slightly undulating. Slopes that are too steep are unsuitable for heavy machinery like cultivators and harvesters. On mixed farms in the wheat-sheep belt of Australia steeper slopes are used for grazing animals while flatter land can be used to cultivate wheat and other crops.