Beatrice is investigating the factors affecting the productivity of soybean (Glycine max) crops in open experimental fields.
Explain how each of the following factors can influence the growth rate and final crop yield of the soybean plants:
(i) The specific alleles inherited from the parental crop lines.
(ii) Soil-dwelling fungi present in the rhizosphere.
Beatrice systematically clears any wild mustard plants emerging in the soybean plots.
(i) Suggest what is meant by the term 'weed' in this agricultural context.
(ii) Explain why removing these weeds from around the soybean plants would improve the quality and yield of the harvest.
(iii) State one method Beatrice could use to reduce or control the growth of these weeds.
74 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Biology Food production. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.