Role of chemistry in Agriculture

The commencement of agricultural activities marks the beginning of sedentary or civilized society. Factors such as the changes in climate and population increase in the Holocene era led to agricultural evolution. During what is termed as "Bronze age," the cultivation of crops and the domestication of animals led to the transformation of the early Homo sapiens from their usual hunting and gathering lifestyle. Finally, through agricultural practices, people were able to expand urban-based societies through the establishment of permanent settlements. Around 7000 BC, cultivation had marked the transition of people from the nomadic lifestyle to settled Neolithic lifestyle.

Modern agriculture can be defined as an aggregate of intensive and large-scale farming or cultivation of land through mono-cropping, use of specialized labor and use of organized irrigation scheme. Modern agriculture can be traced back to the Sumerians around 5500 BC. Modern agriculture highly depends on the use of advanced scientific techniques. These scientific techniques rely mostly on chemistry. Through the production of pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics, it is evident that chemistry has played a significant role in maximizing the yield of animal products and crops. A branch of chemistry which plays a significant role in the production of these chemicals is known as organic chemistry.

For over half a century, the use of organic chemistry has been the heart of food production and crop protection strategies for arable farming. Thus, chemistry plays an integral role in agriculture from molecular to the organ level. It forms an integral part of the basis of photosynthesis which has seen us maximize on our agricultural produce. This advancement of agriculture could not be successful with the active research carried out in chemistry.

So, how can we classify the role of chemistry in agriculture?

The role of chemistry in agriculture can be efficiently and comprehensively be classified as follows: