Using chemicals in farming
I can describe and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides in farming.
- Year 7
Using chemicals in farming
I can describe and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides in farming.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Farmers use chemicals called fertilisers to produce more crops.
- Farmers use chemicals called pesticides to produce more crops.
- Some pesticides kill insects and this helps crops to grow because they are not being eaten.
- Some pesticides kill other plants (weeds) that compete with the crops to grow.
- Fertilisers and pesticides can be harmful to the environment and wildlife.
Keywords
Fertiliser - Fertilisers are minerals that are added to the soil to help plants to grow.
Pesticide - Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill organisms such as insects and weeds, which prevent crop growth.
Organic - Organic farming only uses chemicals that come from other living things (are not man-made).
Herbicide - Herbicides are a type of pesticide. They kill plants. They are sometimes also known as weedkillers.
Insecticide - Insecticides are a type of pesticide. These chemicals kill insects.
Common misconception
Pupils don’t realise that insecticides and herbicides are all examples of pesticides.
Pupils should understand pesticides are a group of chemicals that kill organisms. Different types of pesticide kill different types of pest.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is an organism that eats other organisms to get the food that they need to survive.
Q2.An insect is an organism with how many pairs of legs?
Q3.Which statements are correct?
Q4.Look at the food chain diagram. What is the name of the organism that the mole eats?
Q5.A habitat provides organisms with three things. These are food, and a place to reproduce.
Q6.Look at this food chain from the sea. What will happen if all of the copepods die?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each word to the correct definition.
Q2.Which of the following is a reason why a farmer might use a pesticide?
Q3.Look at the food chain diagram. What would a farmer use to kill the aphids on the potato crop?
Q4. are chemicals that are used to make plants grow to produce lots of flowers or fruits.
Q5.Some herbicides are called selective herbicides. What does this mean?
Q6.Chemicals are important in farming to help grow food for humans and other animals. However, too much use can be dangerous. Match the chemical with possible impacts on other organisms.
