Essay about The Use of Fertilisers and Pesticides in...

The Use of Fertilisers and Pesticides in Agriculture Agriculture today dominates the majority of all land uses. As a result it has a fundamental role in maintaining the countryside and protecting the environment. The development of the use of fertilisers and pesticides has dramatically increased the efficiency of food production and has in fact more than quadrupled food production in the last century[1]. They also have reduced the cost and increased the variety of foods available. However, there are serious consequences to the uses of many of these pesticides and fertilisers and they have resulted in various environmental problems. Fertilisers: In a natural ecosystem plants eventually die†¦show more content†¦Also as it is often used as a waste product on mixed farms, applying farm manure to a plant crop is a useful way of disposing of this waste. The most commonly used fertilisers are the soluble inorganic (chemical) fertilisers. They are products of natural rocks; and contain cations and anions in a concentrated form. These cations and anions are the same as those that occur naturally in fertile soil[3]. There are usually three primary nutrients within these chemical fertilisers (although are contained in organic fertilisers too); all of which have certain properties playing an important part for increasing a higher yield in agriculture. These are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK).  · Nitrogen is fundamental for leaf growth, which is where photosynthesis mainly takes place; therefore vital in increasing crop yields. Nitrogen also contains a number of proteins, so therefore also affecting the quality of the crop.  · Phosphorus is important for cell division so therefore is needed by parts of the plant that are growing rapidly. It is found in many of the organic substances the plant produces, i.e. nucleic acids, ATP.  · Potassium is used for both respiration and photosynthesis. These are contained in a mixture of chemical compounds such as ammonium nitrate, calcium phosphate and potassium sulphate. By adding theseShow MoreRelatedMethods For Sustainable Agriculture From Http877 Words   |  4 PagesSummarize, in YOUR own words (do NOT copy from the website) two of the methods for sustainable agriculture from http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/science/sustainable-agriculture.html (including all hyperlinks used). Cover crops is the first method I will cover. Cover crops are essentially an alternative crop that get planted between growing cycles. There can be a number of positive reasons for doing so. A cover crop can hold the soil together ad reduce erosion. IfRead MoreFeeding The Third World Essay2917 Words   |  12 PagesIntensive and Subsistence Farming both present possible solutions to dealing with world hunger and ending the suffering of the Third World. Intensive Agriculture, also known as Factory or Battery Farming, involves land being farmed in order to achieve the greatest yield possible with the use of inorganic fertilisers and pesticides because it is used to supply large companies and distributors. Monoculture Intensive Farming focuses on Monoculture; large areas where theRead MoreEssay on Human Impact on the Environment1544 Words   |  7 Pagesweapons, species have been hunted to extinction, and as the brain capacity of man increased so did his expectation of living standards. This has meant an even greater effect on the planet and has resulted in urbanisation, growth in agriculture, and the inevitable rise in deforestation. Deforestation is proceeding at about 17 million hectares per year. Between 1980 and 1990 the 1.2 per cent in Asia, 0.8 per cent in Latin America and 0.7 per cent in Africa. Although theRead MoreNigeri An Essential Requirement For Sustainable Agricultural Production Essay1393 Words   |  6 Pagesinactive. Thus, making the country to suffer soil degradation. Almost every Nigerian is a farmer and children are being taught agriculture both in primary and junior secondary schools, but optional in senior secondary. Nigeria practices two types of agriculture, which are Industrialized or commercial and Subsistence Agriculture. Most families are subsistence farmers and they use improvised equipment. In the savannah region, animal husbandry dominates the agricultural practices, while in the forest vegetationRead MoreThe Differences between Natural Ecosystems and Agro-Ecosystems2204 Words   |  9 Pagesconsumption of fuel for farm machinery, the use of energy in the industrial production of agro-chemicals and the electrical demand for greenhouse heaters and grow lamps. The great majority of imported energy is sourced from fossil fuels, and most agro-ecosystems are reliant on industrial processes to maintain outputs. In addition, many organic products of agriculture, for example manure or hay are exported away from the system for use elsewhere. This results in far less energyRead MoreThe Effects Of Pollution On The Environment1636 Words   |  7 Pagesleaves some species homeless. Agriculture for food production- This is the deliberate killing of animals in order to create meat. Transportation of food- The transportation to get food from place to place is harmful for the environment, this is due to the fumes given off by the transport/vehicle that effect the ozone and atmosphere, causing major air pollution that can be harmful for humans, plants and animals. The use of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides- The use of these three chemicals causesRead MoreAre Digital Technologies For The Future Of The Agriculture Industry?1059 Words   |  5 PagesAre digital technologies are megatrend? If so, what does it mean to be a megatrend and how can the megatrend of digital technologies aid the future of the agriculture industry? What does it mean to be a megatrend? A megatrend refers to a movement or force which impacts businesses, societies and the global economy at large by enduring for a period that is longer than typical trends (Frost Sullivan 2014; Kilbourne et al. 2014; PwC 2015). Due to the greater impetus of effects, megatrends cause changesRead MoreVertical And Vertical Types Of Vertical Farming1667 Words   |  7 PagesVertical Farms- Vertical farming is a component of urban agriculture and is the practice of producing food in vertically stacked layers or vertically inclined surfaces. Advantages of Vertical Farming Minimum Input – Maximum Output Vertical Farming is a revolutionary approach to producing high quantities of nutritious and quality fresh food all year round, without relying on skilled labour, favourable weather, high soil fertility or high water usage. Vertical Farm Systems growing cycles are consistentRead MoreHow New Zealand Agriculture Affects Our Environment Essay849 Words   |  4 Pagesbased around agriculture, and these problems are not only in the past but the present and they are not stopping but actually continuing to degrade New Zealand’s natural resources (Ecologic, 2016). The following report will contain information from several different sources on the subject of how New Zealand Agriculture holds responsibility for their effects on the environment, and what effects are actually being caused by the industry. It will be describing how New Zealand’s agriculture industry affectsRead MoreThe Effects Of Pesticides On Organic Farming1653 Words   |  7 PagesHumans initially began farming organically when European farmers noticed a decrease in soil quality and crop health due to the use of chemical fertilizers (â€Å"Pesticides in Organic†¦Ã¢â‚¬  1). This drop in soil quality left the farmers no other choice but to cease the use of chemical fertilizers and begin implementing less harmful supplements in order to improve crop quality (â€Å"An Oral History†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). This less invasive method of farming, otherwise known as organic farming, takes into account â€Å"the medium and