Which of the following factors could be considered a stress factor for crops?

Weather conditions are indeed a significant stress factor for crops. They encompass a wide range of elements such as temperature extremes, precipitation levels, humidity, wind, and natural disasters like droughts or floods. Each of these weather-related conditions can adversely affect crop growth, development, and overall yield. High temperatures can lead to heat stress, while insufficient or excessive rainfall can cause water stress, impacting root development and nutrient uptake. Thus, understanding and managing the impact of weather conditions is crucial for successful crop management.

Soil type, crop rotation practices, and market fluctuations also influence agricultural practices but do not directly apply as immediate stress factors on crops in the same way that adverse weather conditions do. Soil type can affect how well crops perform, but it does not fluctuate rapidly like weather does. Crop rotation is a management practice aimed at maintaining soil health and preventing pest build-up, rather than a stress factor. Market fluctuations relate to economic aspects rather than direct agronomic stress experienced by the crops themselves.