Question

Are Agrochemicals bad?

Answer 1

Hint:Agrochemicals are also called as agricultural chemicals, as the name states it is a class of chemicals which finds application in agricultural fields used for the growth of crops for obtaining good yield. Some chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers etc. come under the class of agrochemicals.

Complete step-by-step answer:We are very familiar that there are many factors that affects the growth and the yield of a crop, The growth of crops depends on the soil, the mineral content in the soil, the water quality and quantity, the nutrients likes N, P, K etc available for the growth, pest control etc.
To increase the quality of the crop and the products obtained and to increase the quantity also many agrochemicals are used in our agricultural sector. As the name itself states they are the chemicals which are used for the agricultural purposes. Even though they are used for increasing the scale of the crop production they have severe effects on our environment.
The agrochemicals like pesticides, fertilizers used in the fields find their way to the nearby water-bodies and finally it enters into the food chain.
When these crops are used in excess amounts, some are used by the plants for their growth and some amount retained and the residue and this residue will alter the quality of the soil and it also may have severe effects on the crop itself. As it may produce quality- reduction of the final produced crops and it may also cause nutrient imbalance.
Some adverse effect on water and land due to the usage of agrochemicals:
-Due to the usage of excess amounts of these chemicals, many microorganisms and bacteria which are useful for the soil are being destroyed.
-It alters the pH level of the soil.
-It leads to the contamination of underwater due to the excess amount of nitrate.
-As it enters the food chain, it leads to bioaccumulation.

Note:When the fertilizers are used in excess amount, it may run off to the nearby water bodies and through those they enter the larger water bodies. And these agrochemicals increase the growth of algae in water which leads to a phenomenon known as fill kill. The excess growth of algae in water bodies leads to the death of organisms like fish etc. This phenomenon leads to water pollution and alters the quality of water and makes the water unfit for consumption.