Muhammad Qasim1, Muhammad Waseem1
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad
The soil is an extremely complicated ecosystem and a very valuable resource, both from an anthropomorphic and atypical point of view. The soil is certainly one of our most important and strategic resources because of its many essential functions. With the advancement of agriculture, the definition of soil health under diverse cropping systems has changed. In the past, crop output and soil quality were the main concerns of researchers and farmers
In order to promote long-term sustainable cropping systems, the idea of soil health assessment has since the 1990s strongly emphasized specific soil qualities and the soil’s capacity to maintain a variety of biological functions in its appropriate environment. Industrial agriculture tends to centralize manufacturing, driving out small producers and weakening rural communities. Agriculture
It also consumes a lot of non-renewable energy sources and expensive off-farm inputs, many of which generate waste that affects the environment. Chemical fertilizers may gradually increase soil acidity to the point where plant growth is inhibited (Barak et al. 1998). Chemically fertilized plots also show less biological activity in the soil food web as compared to plots fertilized with organic dung or other organic sources of fertility) (Raupp, 1997).
The globe consumes roughly 3 million tons of pesticides annually, made up of about 1,600 distinct chemicals and including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. The majority of these drugs do not, however, have complete toxicity data. Between 1945 and 1989, the use of insecticides in the United States grew tenfold (Pimentel et al., 1991).
One of the biggest problems facing humanity as it tries to feed a growing population is land degradation, specifically the deterioration of soils. Despite the fact that a centimeter of soil can take anywhere between 20 and 1,000 years to form (McMichael et al., 1993), the United Nations has calculated that wind and water erode 1% of the world’s topsoil annually (United Nations. 1990).
1. Industrial Agriculture and soil degradation
In order to maximize productivity and profit, industrial agriculture refers to a kind of farming that mainly utilizes machines, artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and monoculture crop cultivation. Industrial agriculture has enhanced food production, but it has also exacerbated other environmental issues including soil erosion (Bhattacharyya et al., 2015). The means by which soil loses its fertility and capacity to sustain plant development is known as soil degradation. Industrial agriculture can affect soil quality in a variety of ways, including:
Soil erosion: Tilling the soil before planting is a common practice in industrial farming. Soil erosion is the loss of topsoil as a result of wind or water. Reduced soil fertility and water-holding capacity may result from this.
Soil compaction: Industrial farming practices such as heavy machinery can compact the soil, lowering its capacity to hold both water and air. Plant growth may be hampered by this, which may also result in a reduction in soil fertility.
Loss of organic matter: Chemical fertilizers are frequently used in industrial agriculture, which may cause the amount of organic matter in the soil to decrease. Since organic matter aids in nutrient and moisture retention, it is crucial for soil fertility.
Chemical pollution: Industrial agriculture uses pesticides and herbicides that can seep into the soil and pollute groundwater. Plants, animals, and people who depend on that water may suffer as a result.
2. Impact on nutrient cycling
Nutrient cycling may be significantly impacted by industrial agriculture, both favorably and unfavorably. Industrial agriculture frequently makes heavy use of synthetic fertilizers, which are produced from non-renewable resources and can cause soil deterioration and water contamination. This is one of the main negative effects.
These fertilizers may also interfere with the soil’s normal nutrient cycle processes, which could upset the balance of nutrients available to and absorbed by plants. The adoption of monoculture agricultural methods, which can result in a loss of biodiversity and a decline in soil health, has another detrimental effect. When the same crop is raised again, the soil may lose certain minerals and microorganisms, which reduces fertility and makes plants more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
In a positive light, the use of cover crops, rotation of crops, and conservation tillage techniques can help industrial agriculture to increase nutrient cycling. With the aid of these methods, soil organic matter can be increased, nutrient availability can be increased, and runoff and erosion can be decreased Lynch, D. H. (2015).
3. Pesticides and soil health
Pesticide use can affect the health of the soil in both good and bad ways. On the one hand, pesticides can aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases and pests that can harm plants, resulting in higher crop yields and healthier soil. On the other hand, the application of pesticides carelessly or excessively might impair the health of the soil.
By destroying beneficial microbes necessary for preserving soil fertility and structure, pesticides are one of the main ways they might affect soil health. These microbes, which include bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, are essential for decomposing organic matter and releasing nutrients into the soil that plants need to flourish (Tripathi et al., 2020).
Pesticides can kill off these microorganisms, which can result in a deterioration in the fertility and health of the soil. Pesticides may also pollute soil and groundwater, raising issues for the environment and human health. Pesticide residues can linger in the soil for years and, if consumed by wildlife or people, could be harmful. In order to reduce the demand for chemical pesticides, it is crucial to use pesticides sparingly and implement integrated pest control techniques.
This can involve pest-control strategies like crop rotation, cover crops, and the utilization of natural predators. Additionally, the biodiversity of the soil and soil health can benefit from organic farming methods, which completely avoid the use of synthetic pesticides (Hussain et al., 2009).
Conclusion
Human health has been significantly harmed by industrial agriculture. Chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers have contaminated the soil, water, and food supply, which can result in a number of health problems including cancer, birth defects, and neurological diseases.
Furthermore, the widespread use of antibiotics and growth hormones in livestock farming has facilitated the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, posing a serious threat to human health. In addition, industrial agriculture has been connected to the extinction of numerous plant and animal species as a result of the destruction of natural ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
Due to the fact that many critical resources—including food, medicine, and other resources—come from nature, the loss of biodiversity could have a serious effect on human health. Agriculture
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