The Use of Fertilisers and Pesticides in Agriculture

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 and decay. When the plant

dies, it decomposes and bacteria and other soil microorganisms break

down organic molecules and release the nutrients back into the soil[2].

However, in a farm, the plants (i.e. crops) are harvested and the

nutrients are removed with them. If a high yield is to be maintained

for a number of years the nutrients must be replaced. Therefore in

order to maintain productivity in agriculture farmers need to use

fertilisers containing these nutrients.

There are two types of fertilisers used by farmers in agriculture:

inorganic fertilisers and organic fertilisers. They both have

advantages and disadvantages within themselves. Inorganic fertilisers

are concentrated sources of macronutrients and can therefore be

applied in smaller amounts. As a result saving on transport costs and

on damage done by heavy farm machinery being driven over the soil.

They are also clean and lack the smell of organic fertilisers; and are

easi...

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...[5] ‘’

[6] From Haylett and Theron on the problem created by excessive and

continuous use of ammonium sulphate.

[7] The Scottish Agricultural College

[8] extracted form an article on fertilisers in www.biologymad.com

[9] Extracted from a fact sheet article entitled ‘Organic Farming’

[10] The Scottish Agricultural College

[11] Extract from a ‘New Introduction to Biology’ by Indge, Rowland

and Baker

[12] Definition from a fact sheet article entitled ‘pest control’

[13] The Environment Agency on Pesticides

[14] From a New Introduction to Biology by Indge, Rowland and Baker

[15] Extract from Fact Sheet Article entitled Pest Control

[16] Extract from Fact Sheet article entitled ‘pesticides in drinking

water’

[17] Extract from Fact Sheet article entitled ‘safe and effective

pesticides’