1. Soil pollution is Contamination of soil by heavy metals, inorganic compounds, chemicals, salts. It has an adverse effect on plant growth and human health. Soil pollutants- Substances causing soil pollution like coal, sewage, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Agriculture chemicals includes- Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers.

2. Used to correct soil deficiencies. Necessary nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and many more are obtained from fertilizers. Two types- Organic fertilizers Inorganic fertilizers 3. Organic fertilizers- Obtained from naturally occurring substances. Made from plant, animal byproducts. Compost , manure, marine byproducts. Inorganic fertilizers- Synthetically manufactured. Like nitrogen fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, phosphorous fertilizers. Readily dissolved in soil. 4. Compost- Made from decomposed plant matter such as vegetable peels, egg shells. Manure- Comes from livestock animals such as cattle, chickens, horses and sheep. Marine byproducts- Fish scrap 5. Manure products are one of the most common natural fertilizers available. 6. Accumulation of soil acidity in soil which increases aluminium availability and hence toxity . Fertilizer burn. Nitrogen fertilizer can be converted by soil bacteria to nitrogen oxide, a greenhouse gas which also causes acid rain. 7. Remain longer in soil Release nutrients slowly Less likely to burn roots of plants Enhance soil health Nurture soil microbes 8. To kill, destroy pests. Imp. Pesticides are DDT, organophosphates, aldrin, furodan. Pesticides get absorbed by soil particles. Decrease fertility of soil Toxic effect on human 9. Organochlorine pesticides- DDT, chlordane Pyrethroid pesticides- Pyrethrin Biopesticides- Derived from natural material like plants, animals, bacteria. Canola oil, baking soda 10. Reduces soil life from 2 to 16 years. Reach a destination other than their target species when sprayed. Reduces nitrogen fixation Pests develop resistance to pesticides, necessitating new pesticides. Destroys habitats, threatens species Contamination of ground water. 11. Biological Controls- Parasites, predators to kill pests. Bacteria can be also used to kill pests. Quarantine- Restriction on the importation of plant and animals that could contain pests. Interplanting- The alternate row of planting can provide a habitat for predators of pests to the other row. 12. Used to kill unwanted plants. Organic herbicides- Expensive Less effective than synthetic herbicides Spices, vinegar Do not damage crops as naturally made. 13. Chemical compounds used to kill fungi. Fungi can cause serious damage in agriculture. Result in critical loss of yield, quality and profit. Dangerous to human health. Eg- Neem oil, Tea tree oil, etc. 14. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- reports that over 1 billion tons of pesticides are used in the US every year. . Agricultural use accounted for 80% of pesticide use in the US. . The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -responsible for monitoring pesticide levels on fruits and vegetables. 15. Between the years of 2004-05 and 2009-10, the total consumption of fertilizer has increased by 43% . . Consumption of potash increased by merely 15 kg/ha during last 27 years from less than 2 kg in 1971-72 to 17.1 kg in 2008- 09. The Fertilizer consumption (% of fertilizer production) in India was 166.29 in 2009, according to a World Bank report, published in 2010.