Date : 1st June 4, 2021

Grades :10

Lesson : 24

Subject : Agricultural Science

Topic : Crop Production
Sub-Topic : Chemicals in the environment

There is widespread use of chemicals in the form of pesticides, weed killers and artificial
fertilisers. Although they are useful for food production, they are damaging our environment.
Chemicals applied to the soil or sprayed onto crops can run off fields with the rainwater, flow
into rivers and eventually into the oceans. This causes pollution and affects plant and animal life
in both freshwater waterways and the oceans. Chemicals may also build up in organisms (such as
shellfish). When these animals are eaten, it is thought that the chemicals travel up the food chain.
Chemicals become concentrated in wildlife and often kill the animals.

Advantages of using agricultural chemicals

• The effects of applying agricultural chemicals may be seen relatively quickly. Pests and weeds
can be destroyed before they cause too much damage to the crop.
• Using chemicals results in improved crop yields. Crops benefit from the removal of weeds and
pests and will grow better. Farmers make more profit and there is a better supply of good-quality
produce for the consumer.
• Pest and weed control is quicker and less labour-intensive than manual and cultural methods.
The farmer who uses chemicals has more time for other operations.
• There is a longer storage life for food. Better-quality produce will be produced, which will last
longer.
Disadvantages of using agricultural chemicals

Eutrophication

Artificial fertilisers, such as NPK fertilisers, get washed from farm lands into rivers. The increase
in nitrates and phosphates in a river increases the growth of algae. This creates an ‘algal bloom’
in the surface layers of the water, which blocks sunlight reaching aquatic plants. When the algae
die, they are broken down by bacteria that use up oxygen in the water. Because artificial
fertilisers increase the presence of algae and bacteria in the water, the water becomes
deoxygenated (lacking in oxygen). As a result, other aerobic organisms in the water, such as
insects, insect larvae and fish, will suffocate and die.
This enriching of nitrates and phosphates in the water is called eutrophication. Eutrophication
can also occur if there are sewage spills or there is a runoff from farm manure, as these sources
contain nitrates and phosphates.

Figure 1: Process of eutrophication Figure 2: Algal bloom

Pesticides
Pesticides can also get into waterways, either as drift from crop spraying or from being washed
off fields by rain. The toxicity of pesticides and their effects on crop plants have to be thoroughly
investigated before the pesticides can be marketed. Sometimes, the chemicals produced when the
pesticides break down may affect organisms in the environment. Often long-term environmental
effects are unknown until a pesticide has been used by farmers for a while. Once the long-term
effects are understood, countries may ban the use of a pesticide. Since the problems with DDT,
there have been more investigations into the long-term effects of pesticides. Research has
concentrated on the development of chemicals that break down more readily and are more
‘mobile’ in soil and water. In addition, new pesticides are being developed to target specific
pests.

Safe handling of chemicals and chemical containers

Pesticide labeling is now enforced by law. Labels must contain the following information:
- the product name or the trade name
- the type of pests it will control
- a list of the active ingredients and their amounts; the official chemical names must be
included and often the common names will be given as well
- the percentage of the inert (inactive) ingredients; inert ingredients do not need to be listed
by name
- the quantity of the product in the container
- the name and address of the manufacturer
- a registration reference to indicate that the product has been tested for use
- an indication of the toxicity
- precautionary statements about keeping the product away from children, as well as
emergency and first-aid treatment
- reference to physical, chemical and environmental hazards
- storage instructions
- directions for use.

The directions for use should be followed carefully as they will indicate:
- where and when the pesticide can be used
- how much to use
- how it needs to be mixed
- safety equipment to be worn and safety precautions to be followed when applying the
pesticide
 - how long after application the crop can be harvested.

Storage of chemicals

Agricultural chemicals should be stored in a locked container. Ideally, chemicals should be

ordered only to use, so there should not be a large quantity of half-used bottles in the store.
Powders should be stored above liquids, as powders will not leak down into chemicals below,
creating new and potentially more dangerous compounds. There should be a suitably sized
plastic tray for mixing chemicals in the store. If a pesticide spills as it is being diluted, the spill
will be contained in the plastic tray. This protects the environment, is less hazardous to the
farmer, and the chemical can then be transferred back into the bottle or sprayer tank, thus saving
the farmer money.

Disposal of chemical containers

Triple rinse empty containers with water, drain them into the equipment used for applying
pesticide. Rinse the foil seals too and put them inside their containers. Firmly replace the caps on
the containers immediately. Store the rinsed and drained containers upright in a secure,
weatherproof area away from stored pesticides (either in a separate store or a separate part of
your chemical store) until you can dispose of them safely. Safe disposal can be done in different
ways.
A contractor or distributor can take back properly cleaned empty containers. The containers need
to have been cleaned either by rinsing them manually at least three times or by using a pressure
rinsing device. They can be disposed of at a licensed waste-disposal or waste recovery site. If
none of these options are available, the empty containers should be burned. This should be done
on a site well away from the chemical store.
Full PPE should be worn while burning containers.
Figure 3: Full PPE to be worn when applying chemicals

In Guyana, we often do not find all the necessary protective equipment however we need to
improvise since total protection is of utmost importance whilst handling and applying chemicals.

Review questions
1. Define eutrophication.
2. Explain how eutrophication occurs.
3. Why the use of personal protective equipment is mandatory when applying chemicals?
4. What are three very important requirement that must be included on the label of a
agrochemical?
5. How would a farmer determine how much chemical to use?
6. What are two negative effects of eutrophication?
7. What factors other than the use of chemical fertilisers can lead to eutrophication?
Reference
i. Perrett-Pearson, M and Ramharacksingh, R., 2020. Agricultural Science for C.S.E.C
Examination 2nd Edition, Macmillan Education
ii. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.croplifela.org%2Fen%2
Fwhats-new%2Flinks%2Fpersonal-protective-equipment-ppe-for-the-application-
ofagrochemicals&
psig=AOvVaw0N0kYxXXIuGpYEjQ7wtDEr&ust=1606591468147000
&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwiW4arfuaPtAhUNy1kKHVwaASUQr4kDegU
IARC2AQ
iii. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fonlinesciencenotes.com%2Feu
trophication-causes-effects-and-controllingmeasures%
2F&psig=AOvVaw0fleBKDqhVYRZVP4Z7PfeB&ust=1606587775012000
&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwit4Kfq6PtAhURI1kKHbTLCIcQr4kDegUIARDgAQ