Expert: Florence M Rollwagen - 5/7/2008

Question
what are the uses,advantages,disavantages of agrochemicals?

Answer
Hi Cineke and thans for your question.

Agrochemicals are a group of products that include insecticide, fertilizer, hormones, fungicides and other materials that are applied to plants.  The uses are what the name implies, for example a fungicide kills fungus, insecticide kills insects.  Fertilizer provides necessary nutrients to plants.

Most of these products are used by agribusiness to ensure large food crops for less effort.  

The disadvantages are that they are toxic and kill ALL insects (for example), not just the ones bothering the plants.  This upsets the balance and ecology of the area, since beneficial insects are killed as well.  The materials are added in large amounts and the runoff (excess) contaminates ground water and nearby lakes and streams.

I hope this answer has helped you.  Please write back if you have more questions.

FM Rollwagen, PhD