Agrochemical

An agrochemical or agrichemical, a
contraction of agricultural chemical, is a
chemical product used in agriculture. In
most cases, agrichemical refers to
pesticides including insecticides,
herbicides, fungicides and nematicides.
It may also include synthetic fertilizers,
hormones and other chemical growth
agents, and concerntrated stores of raw
animal manure.[1][2]
The Passaic Agricultural Chemical Works in
Newark, New Jersey, 1876

Agrochemicals are counted among

speciality chemicals.

Categories

Biological action …

In most of the cases, agrochemicals

refer to pesticides.[3]

Pesticides
 Insecticides
Herbicides
Fungicides
Algaecides
Rodenticides
Molluscicides
Nematicides
Fertilisers
Soil conditioners
Liming and acidifying agents
Plant growth regulators

Application method …

Fumigants
Penetrant
Ecology
Many agrochemicals are toxic, and
agrichemicals in bulk storage may pose
significant environmental and/or health
risks, particularly in the event of
accidental spills. In many countries, use
of agrichemicals is highly regulated.
Government-issued permits for purchase
and use of approved agrichemicals may
be required. Significant penalties can
result from misuse, including improper
storage resulting in spillage. On farms,
proper storage facilities and labeling,
emergency clean-up equipment and
procedures, and safety equipment and
procedures for handling, application and
disposal are often subject to mandatory
standards and regulations. Usually, the
regulations are carried out through the
registration process.

For instance, bovine somatotropin,

though widely used in the United States,
is not approved in Canada and some
other jurisdictions as there are concerns
for the health of cows using it.

History
Sumerians from 4500 years ago have
said to use insecticides in the form of
sulfur compounds. Additionally, the
Chinese from about 3200 years ago used
mercury and arsenic compounds to
control the body lice.[4]

Agrochemicals were introduced to

protect crops from pests and enhance
crop yields. The most common
agrochemicals include pesticides and
fertilizers.[5] Chemical fertilizers in the
1960s were responsible for the beginning
of the "Green Revolution", where using
the same surface of land using intensive
irrigation and mineral fertilizers such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium has
greatly increased food production.[6]
Throughout the 1970s through 1980s,
pesticide research continued into
producing more selective
agrochemicals.[4] Due to the adaptation
of pests to these chemicals, more and
new agrochemicals were being used,
causing side effects in the environment.

Companies
Syngenta was the worldwide leader in
agrochemical sales in 2013 at ~$10.9
billion, followed by Bayer CropScience,
BASF, Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto, and
then DuPont with ~$3.6 billion.[7]

See also
Index of pesticide articles
National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS)
References
1. "Agrochemicals Handbook from
C.H.I.P.S." C.H.I.P.S.
2. "Agrochemicals and Security" .
University of Florida. Archived from
the original on 2017-10-16.
Retrieved 2008-12-14.
3. "Agrochemicals: Types and their
effects" . worldofchemicals.com.
February 2, 2018. Retrieved July 23,
2020.
4. Unsworth, John (10 May 2010).
"History of Pesticide Use" .
International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry.
 5. "Agrochemical" . 2 May 2017.
6. Carvalho, Fernando P. (2006).
"Agriculture, pesticides, food security
and food safety". Environmental
Science & Policy. Elsevier BV. 9 (7–
8): 685–692.
doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2006.08.002 .
ISSN 1462-9011 .
7. Agropages.com Mar. 25, 2014 Top
six agrochemical firms grew steady
in 2013

External links
"Agricultural Chemical Usage -
Chemical Distribution Rate - ID:
t722h8817 - USDA Economics,
Statistics and Market Information
 System" . Publication. December 23,
2005. Retrieved July 23, 2020.

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