EVS PROJECT

TOPIC:EXCESSIVE AGROCHEMICALS CAUSE NUTRIENT IMBALANCE AND

QUALITY REDUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

INTRODUCTION: (SELECTION OF TOPIC)

I have selected the topic which is related to our subject ‘environmental Education
and water security’ which is EXCESSIVE AGROCHEMICALS CAUSE NUTRIENT
IMBALANCE AND QUALITY REDUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE
Agrochemicals are chemical products composed of fertilisers, plant-protection
chemicals or pesticides, and plant-growth hormones used in agriculture. It's a
substance that's used for the operation of an agricultural ecosystem. Agrochemicals
include herbicides, pesticides, liming and acidifying agents (which are designed to
change the pH), soil conditioners, fungicides and chemicals used in the procuring
livestock like antibiotics and hormones. `
The foundation of effective farming techniques is healthy soil. Plants require
important nutrients, which fertile soil offers.
The existing industrial agriculture system encourages the use of agrochemicals,
such as synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, without taking into account their
detrimental impacts on the environment, human health, or local communities'
economies. The excessive and unbalanced use of agrochemicals, such as fertilisers
and insecticides, in high productivity irrigated regions frequently causes a reduction
in soil fertility.
Overuse of agrochemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers, has
permeated contemporary agricultural methods. These substances are frequently
employed to increase agricultural output and safeguard plants against pests and
illnesses. However, there are worries that the excessive and careless use of
agrochemicals may have negative impacts on the nutritive value of agricultural
products and the general wellbeing of ecosystems.
Agrochemical use has the potential to cause nutrient imbalances in agricultural soils,
which have a direct impact on crop nutrition content. Excessive use of agrochemicals
can interfere with the soil's normal nutrient cycling processes, resulting in an
unbalanced supply of vital components like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and
micronutrients. This disruption may impair the plants' capacity to adequately absorb
and utilise nutrients, leading to decreased Amount of nutrients in the gathered food.
Additionally, the use of agrochemicals frequently results in the neglect of organic
farming techniques like crop rotation, cover crops, and non-chemical pest control
approaches. The excessive use of pesticides and herbicides can lead to the
establishment of weeds and pests that are resistant to herbicides, which can lead to
a vicious cycle where the ecosystem's natural equilibrium is disrupted. Because of
this, farmers may turn to applying even more agrochemicals, worsening the issue of
nutritional imbalances and quality loss.
The effects of nutrient imbalance and decreased food quality are felt outside of the
farm. Customers who rely on these goods for their nutritional requirements may not
get enough of the critical nutrients they need. Additionally, the presence of chemical
residues in the product raises questions regarding food safety because they may be
harmful to people's health.

Unbalanced nutrition levels and poorer food quality have impacts that extend beyond
the farm. Customers who depend on these products for all of their nutritional needs
might not get enough of the essential nutrients they require. Chemical residues in the
product also create concerns about food safety because they might be damaging to
people's health.

The public and policymakers have raised a huge concern about toxic pesticides in
food because of their negative health and environmental impacts. Food
contamination is not only a consequence of spraying pesticides for non-target plants
but also due to pesticide behavior in the environment, such as volatilization from the
treated area to the air, soil, and non-target plants, and the residual pesticides
transmitted from soil and water to crops, vegetables, and fruits. This environmental
behaviour of pesticides and their residues lead to food contamination and damage to
plants. For example, exposure to the herbicide clopyralid can reduce the yields of
potato plants. Volatilization of only 1% of the applied clopyralid is enough to damage
non-target plants. studies also show that plants indirectly suffer from pesticide
applications since pesticides are harmful to soil microorganisms and beneficial
insects.

2.Impacts/ill effects of agrochemicals on soil

microbiology and food quality

Abstract
Currently, more than thousands of agrochemicals or pesticides have been applied in
agriculture at the different phases of growth at the start of germination to the fruiting
stages of crops, vegetables, or fruits. Pesticides applied in agriculture have a
different role such as to meet the requirements of nutrients in soils, or to check the
growth of phytopathogens, or to control plant diseases. But the continuous
application of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in agricultural land severally affect the
texture, productivity of both plant and soil, native microflora of the soil, or the
surrounding environments. After the application of pesticides on fruits, vegetables,
and crops, some extent of these pesticides gets deposited on different parts of fruits
and crops as chemical resides. The consumption of these pesticide residues shows
mutagenic, carcinogenic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and also a range of health-related
issues in human beings.

Effects on humans
 The effects of soil pollution on human health are significant. Health risks result
from eating food produced by crops and plants grown on contaminated soil.
This could account for both minor and terminal illnesses.

 Prolonged contact with contaminated soil alters the body's genetic

composition and increases the risk of chronic illnesses and congenital
problems.

 Prolonged exposure to solvents, heavy metals, petroleum, and agricultural

chemicals can cause cancer.

 Long-term exposure to benzene is linked to an increased incidence of

leukaemia. Kidney injury occurs more frequently when mercury is present.
Liver toxicity has been associated to cyclodienes. Organophosphates may set
off a cascade of events that blocks the neuromuscular junction.

 Chlorinated solvents cause central nervous system depression, liver, and

kidney damage.

On plant growth

 Because of soil contamination, the ecological system's delicate equilibrium is

compromised.

 The majority of plants are unable to quickly respond to changes in soil

chemistry.

 The soil's microorganisms are deteriorating and causing further soil erosion
issues.

 Soil contamination is harmful to human health;

 It reduces soil fertility, making it unsuitable for agriculture and local plants to
survive.

 Most biological forms cannot survive on contaminated land.

On soil fertility

 The harmful compounds found in the soil as a result of pollution can reduce
soil fertility and reduce soil production.
 Fruits and vegetables grown on polluted soil lack nutritious qualities.

 Consuming these could be harmful and result in major health issues for the
consumer.

Toxic dust

 Toxic gas and odours emissions from landfills harm the environment and have
a negative impact on some people's health.

 People are inconvenienced by the offensive odour. On soil structure:

 Soil pollution can cause the death of numerous soil creatures, such as
earthworms, which can change the structure of the soil and push other
predators to seek food elsewhere.

 Some of the older, less costly agrochemicals can remain for years in soil and
water. Many of these chemicals have been banned from agricultural use in
developed countries, but they are still used in many developing countries
which may lead to reduction in soil fertility