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Plant Science: Feeding a Growing World - The Evolution of Agriculture

This chapter explores the origins of civilization through the cultivation of plants like grain, particularly wheat and corn, in regions such as Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and Mexico. It delves into the significance of green plants as food factories and the challenges in meeting the global demand for food. The text examines historical and modern agricultural practices, including the increase in production per acre and the impact of factors like urbanization on agricultural land. It also discusses the evolution of food production in America since the Civil War, emphasizing advancements in research and technology.

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Plant Science: Feeding a Growing World - The Evolution of Agriculture

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  1. Plant Science Chapter #1

  2. Civilization In the beginning, Nomads followed herds of animals and gathered food. When they discovered that they could seed grain and harvest it, they no longer needed to follow a food source. This allowed people to live in one place, thus the beginning of civilization.

  3. Origin of Grain Wheat = Egypt, Iran, Turkey Corn = Mexico Explorers would bring wheat to North America, and return with corn.

  4. Plants as a Food Factory Green plants are the only living things capable of Photosynthesis (using energy from sun to make sugar)

  5. How will we provide food for a growing planet? • ?????

  6. World population: • 1978 = 4 billion • population grows 200,000/day • 60-80% of deaths in world are from undernutrition or malnutrition • average person needs 2200 Kilocalories per day • half the world recieves less than 1500 Kilocalories

  7. Balanced diet • meat and cereals North America = 35% meat, 40% cereal, 25% fruits/veg Asia = 10% meat, 75% cereal (rice)

  8. How can we produce more food? • increase number of acres in production • 3 million acres per year taken out of production in the U.S. for residential and commercial use • increase production per acre (Japan, Canada, Deserts, Jungles)

  9. How has production changed in America? • Civil War: 1 farmer produced enough food for his family (1:6) • 1920 = 1:10 • 1970 = 1:50 • 1990 = 1: 70 • 1998 = 1:128 • Corn production per acre doubled from 1940 to 1960 (hybrid corn & fertilizer) • Research: colleges, USDA, Industry

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