The Green Revolution - AP Environmental Science

Crop rotation. Focus shifted to continuous monoculture for maximum yields.

Pesticide exposure. Chemical use led to poisoning and chronic health problems.

Improved irrigation systems. Better water management enabled cultivation in previously unsuitable areas.

Disease resistance. Bred to withstand common plant diseases and environmental stresses.

A period of agricultural transformation with increased crop yields. Began in the 1940s-60s using improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.

Wheat. Borlaug's dwarf wheat varieties dramatically increased yields in Mexico.

Increase food production. Aimed to combat world hunger through agricultural modernization.

Increased pesticide use. Chemicals caused water pollution, soil contamination, and health risks.

India. Transformed from food importer to major agricultural exporter.

Water for irrigation. High-yield varieties required consistent water supply for optimal growth.

Increased agricultural exports. Surplus production allowed countries to sell crops internationally.

Increased rural income. Higher crop yields led to greater profits for farmers.

The Rockefeller Foundation. Funded agricultural research and development programs worldwide.

High-yield variety seeds. Genetically improved seeds produced much higher yields than traditional varieties.

Drip irrigation. Efficient water delivery system reduced waste and increased yields.

Increased income inequality. Wealthy farmers benefited more than small-scale farmers.

Food security concerns. Growing populations needed increased food production to prevent famine.

Loss of crop genetic diversity. Monocultures replaced traditional diverse farming systems.

Rice. IR8 and other high-yield rice varieties transformed Asian agriculture.

Chemical fertilizers. Synthetic nutrients essential for supporting high-yield crop varieties.

Displacement due to mechanization. Machines reduced need for manual labor, affecting employment.

Mechanization. Machines replaced manual labor, increasing efficiency and scale.

Government investment in agriculture. Public funding supported research, infrastructure, and farmer training programs.

Dwarf wheat varieties. Short-stemmed varieties that resisted lodging and produced higher yields.

Soil degradation. Heavy chemical use damaged soil structure and fertility over time.

Intensive farming. High-input, high-output systems replaced traditional extensive methods.

Dependency on chemical inputs. Farmers became reliant on expensive external inputs for production.

Nitrogen. Essential macronutrient for plant growth and protein synthesis.

Water table depletion. Intensive irrigation led to groundwater overuse and aquifer depletion.