Agrochemicals
What are agrochemicals?
Agrochemicals are the various chemical products that are used in agriculture globally to increase crop productivity. Many agrochemicals are toxic, can be resistant to degradation, have the capacity to bioaccumulate and to be transported by air and water.
Therefore, are agrochemicals strictly regulated and their application in the field should be done with care. Spillages or miss use can numerous challenges to agricultural ecosystems and soil health as well as human health.
What are their applications?
Some agrochemicals are:
Pesticides: Toxic chemicals used to combat animals and plants harmful to crops.
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Fungicides: Used to kill or prevent the growth of fungi and mildew.
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Herbicides: Used to restrict and interrupt the growth of unwanted plants.
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Insecticides: Used to counteract insect pests that disrupt crop growth.
Fertilizers: Substances to strengthen the soil and promote crop growth.
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Organic fertilizers: Also known as manures. They can be of animal or vegetable origin.
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Chemical fertilizers: They are artificially manufactured and are designed to meet specific crop needs.
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Biofertilizers: Plant fertilizers containing living microorganisms used as nutrients.
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Biostimulants: They contain living microorganisms used to stimulate plant growth.
Plant-growth hormones
What are the impacts on environment?
A greater amount of fertilizer and pesticides than the crop needs can causes the rest of the chemical to be released into the environment. Chemical fertilizers consist mainly of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Excess nitrogen and phosphate can infiltrate into groundwater or be washed into watercourses. This excess causes eutrophication of lakes, reservoirs and ponds. It can also accelerate climate change through emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Furthermore, pesticides can produce toxic gases or can be wash off by rain after application and released into the environment. Consequently, if pesticides reach rivers and lakes, they can contaminate the water and the animals that live there. Some pesticides such as DDT, aldrin, endrin and others have proven to be resistant to degradation and can remain in the soil for years, which is why they were banned and are regulated by the Stockholm Convention. They are too toxic to be used.
