What are biotic factors in an agricultural ecosystem?

Biotic factors are all living things affecting agricultural production. They include: plants (crops, weeds), animals (livestock, pests, pollinators), and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses).

Positive biotic factors: pollinators increase fruit set, earthworms improve soil, decomposers recycle nutrients. Negative: pests damage crops, weeds compete for resources, pathogens cause diseases.

Successful farming manages biotic interactions to maximize positive effects and minimize negative ones.