40. Intext questions II

 

a. Living organisms like insects and rodents feeding on crops can also transmit diseases, such as nematodes, mycoplasmas, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These are known as ________.

• abiotic factors
• biotic factors

b. Non-living components, such as excess water, drought, salinity, heat, cold or frost, that affect the growth of crop plants are referred to as abiotic factors.

 

c. Water-logging reduces soil aeration, harming root growth. Drought limits water for plant needs. Frost, cold, and heat harm crop metabolism.