IGCSE Geography Agricultural Systems Practice Test

Drought impacts crops when there isn’t enough water during the growing season, especially during the key growth stages. Without sufficient moisture, plants close their stomata to conserve water, photosynthesis slows, and growth is stunted. If the drought lasts long enough, the crop can fail entirely, destroying that year’s harvest. In this case, the 2008-2009 drought is the one described as destroying that year’s crop because its extended period of very low rainfall and heat disrupted the crops during their critical development, leading to a failed or greatly reduced harvest. Other drought years can harm crops too, but this instance is noted for causing destruction of the crop in that particular year.