# Explain why growing the same crop on the same land year after year can lead to reduced yields over time.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 6.4 Biological challenges of increasing food yields · Explain · 4 marks

> Farmers sometimes grow the same crop repeatedly on the same fields to meet increasing food demands. However, this practice can cause problems that reduce the amount of food produced.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Nutrients / minerals are removed from the soil by the crop each year
2. Nutrients are not replaced / soil becomes less fertile
3. Pest / pathogen populations build up in the soil or on the land over time
4. This leads to greater crop damage / plant disease / lower yield

## Key terms

- [yield](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/yield)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-growing-the-same-crop-88738cc2) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.