1.8: Agriculture
- Page ID
- 52291
How does chemistry aid the success of crops?
In the spring, many people begin to plant their gardens. They see ads in catalogs or shop the gardening section of a local store to get ideas. The right place in the garden is selected, seeds or plants are put in the soil, and then they wait. Whether it is a small home garden or a large thousand acre farm, chemistry contributes greatly to the success of the crop.
Agriculture
Crops need four things for good growth: sunlight, water, nutrients from the soil, and protection from predators such as insects. Chemistry has made major contributions within water usage, nutrient availability, and plant protection. Water purification uses a number of chemical and physical techniques to remove salts and contaminants that would pollute the soil. Chemical analysis of soil allows the grower to see what nutrients are lacking, so that they can be added. In the spring, grocery stores, hardware stores, and gardening centers have high stacks of bags containing fertilizers and weed killers that enrich the soil and keep down unwanted plants. These same stores also provide a number of sprays or solid treatments for insects that might otherwise eat the plants.
Water Purification
Fresh water is essential for good crops. In some areas of the world, there is enough rain to accomplish this task. In other locales, water must be provided so that the crops will grow. Worldwide, irrigation covers about \(18\%\) of farm land and produces some \(40\%\) of crops. Obtaining clean water in many parts of the world is made possible by the process of desalinization.
Desalinization involves to the treatment of sea water to remove salts; the resulting water can then be used for irrigation without contaminating the soil with materials that harm the growing plants.
Soil Nutrients
In many areas of the world, the soil is deficient in essential nutrients. A number of minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium may not be present in large enough amounts for plants to grow well. Nitrogen is also extremely important for good crops.
Soil analysis is available from a variety of labs. Local university extension services can provide valuable information as to the composition of a soil, and will also make suggestions as to the types and amounts of needed nutrients. Fertilizers can be purchased and added to the soil to enrich it and ensure better yield of crops.
Insect Control
Even if the crop grows well, there is still the possibility of insect or pest damage. The insect or pest can consume the crop or can damage it to the point where it will not grow well. Infestations of army worms can do major damage to corn and grain crops. Aphids and boll weevils are major predators of cotton crops. Failure to control these pests results in widespread crop damage and financial loss for the farmer.
A wide variety of pesticides have been developed by chemists and other scientists to deal with pests. The basic approach is to develop pesticides that interfere with some biochemical process in the pest. Ideally, the pesticide will not affect other living organisms, but this is not always the case. It is very important to read the labels and observe all precautions when using pesticides.
Summary
- Obtaining clean water in many parts of the world is made possible by the process of desalinization.
- Plant nutrients are very important for good plant growth.
- Chemical analysis of soil can tell he farmer or gardener what nutrients are needed.
- Chemists have developed many pesticides that will kill plant predators such as the army worm and the boll weevil.
Review
- List three things crops need for good growth.
- How much of the water used in farming is provided by irrigation?
- What fraction of crops are grown using irrigation?
- Why do nutrients need to be added to the soil?
- How do pesticides work?