2.1 AGRICULTURE

In the spring, many people begin to plant their gardens. They see advertisements 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 (science) contributes greatly to the success of the crop.

Agriculture

Crops need four things for good growth: water, nutrients from the soil, protection from predators such as insects, and of course SUNLIGHT. Chemistry has improved our ways of growing plants. Water purification or “water cleaning” uses a number of chemical and physical techniques to remove salts and contaminants that would pollute the soil. Looking at the science of the soil allows the grower to see what nutrients are lacking so 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 have a snack on the plants.

Idaho wheat field. YUM.

Water Purification

Fresh water is needed for good crops. In some areas of the world, there is enough rain to accomplish this task. In other places, water must be provided so the crops will grow.

Let’s take a quick look at a

Scientist’s Notebook:

Worldwide, irrigation covers about 18% of farm land and produces some 40% of crops. A major source of cleaner water in many parts of the world is provided by the process of desalinization.

Desalinization equipment.

Sea water is treated to remove salts and the resulting water can then be used for irrigation without contaminating the soil with materials that harm the growing plants.

Have you ever been down at the beach and accidentally swallowed some sea water? It didn’t taste to good, huh? That’s because there is salt in it. Desalinization equipment takes the salt right out. It is like having a salty pretzel and brushing all the salt off (Just a little more complex… I mean look at that machine!)

Soil Nutrients

In many areas of the world, the soil lacks essential nutrients. A number of minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium may not be present in large enough amounts to cause good plant growth. Nitrogen is extremely important for good crops.

Man spreading chemicals on soil.

Soil analysis is available from many labs. Schools can provide valuable information showing the makeup 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 real possibility of insect or pest damage. The insect/pest can consume the crop or can damage it to the point where it will not grow well. Infestations of armyworms can do major damage to corn and grain crops. Aphids and boll weevils are major predators of cotton crops. Failure to control these pests will result in widespread crop damage and financial loss to the farmer.

Potato pests.

Watch an armyworm video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1SlOWeMkNQ (3:39).

A wide variety of pesticides have been developed by chemists and other scientists to deal with all these pests. The basic approach is to have the pesticide 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

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.