Question

Explain in brief the importance of Chemistry in agriculture.

Answer 1

Importance of Chemistry: In agriculture end products and as follows:

AGRICULTURE

(a) Fertilizers – A substance to improve fertility and supply of nutrients to plant and is essential for growth.

Example:

1. Ammonium nitrate – widely used as a fertilizer.
2. Urea–an important source of nitrogen [non-explosive ‘and solid in nature]
3. Phosphatic fertilizer – superphosphates.
About 90% of fertilizers are in solid form.
Liquid fertilizers comprise – aqueous solutions of ammonia or ammonium nitrate.

(b) Pesticides:

1. Chemicals added to the soil, to kill pests. They include – Herbicides; insecticides; termiticides etc.
2. Pesticides protect the plants from – weeds, fungi, and insects.
3. About 30% of crops are destroyed by agricultural pests.

(a) Herbicides: Kill or inhibit the growth of - unwanted plants.
(b) Insecticides: Destroy insects, which harm or destroy plants.

Pesticides may come in contact with other living organisms and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.