What is the law of limiting factors ? Explain it with an illustration.


In 1905, Blackmann proposed the law of limiting factors which states that the process can depend on a number of factors but the rate of the process will be determined by the limiting factor that is present in small quantities.
This factor will affect the rate and is used to regulate the process.

Illustration of this law,
The rate of photosynthesis is dependent on carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity, and temperature.

Suppose at a particular light intensity, 50g/hour carbon dioxide concentration is used in photosynthesis. With increase in light intensity, more carbon dioxide can be fixed but to an extent.
Later, there will be a saturation as the light intensity saturates so here light intensity is the limiting factor and affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Final Answer:
The law of limiting factor states a process that is dependent on multiple factors. The rate of this process will be determined by the concentration of the limiting factor. As illustrated in the rate of photosynthesis.