Agricultural chemistry is the study of chemistry and biochemistry important for agricultural production, food processing, and environmental monitoring. Chemists develop molecules used in pesticides and herbicides to effectively reduce crop damage from pests and disease while being less harmful. Understanding agricultural chemistry allows for improved soil fertility, increased crop yields, and more cost-effective food production to sufficiently feed a growing population.

1. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY
(DBS10032)

2. INTRODUCTION TO PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY IN
AGRICULTURE
1.1 Explain the principle of chemistry in agriculture
1.2 Explain organic and Conventional Agriculture

3. 1.1.1 Principle of chemistry in Agricultural
What is chemistry?
• Chemistry is a branch of science that studies the composition,
structure, properties and interaction matters
• Origin word comes from Arabic word – al-kīmiyā’ ʾ ‫الكيمياء‬
referred to black soil from River Nile.
• English word – alchemy – is derived from Arabic word

4. • The science or practice of farming on cultivating land and
raising animals in order to produce foods, beverages, fibers
and timbers.
WHAT IS AGRICULTURE?

5. • Agricultural chemistry is the study of both chemistry and
biochemistry which are important in agricultural production,
the processing of raw products into foods and beverage and in
environmental monitoring and remediation.
WHAT IS AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY?

6. CAREERS INVOLVED IN CHEMISTRY
KNOWLEDGE
Lecturer /
Teacher
Doctor /
Dentist
Modern
farmers
Veteriner
Engineer Scientist Pharmacologist

7. 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas
Supplies fuels for homes, vehicles and factories.
Run generators that supply electricity.
2. Plastic
Produces equipment and electrical parts.
3. Agricultural
Fertilizers and pesticides for plants and also hormones for
animals
CHEMICAL BASED INDUSTRIES IN MALAYSIA

8. 4. Pharmaceutical
Produces drugs , both modern and traditional,
for the health sector
5. Iron and steel
Raw materials for the construction and
automobile industry
6. Oleochemicals
Produces various products from palm oil,
including soaps and detergents
CHEMICAL BASED INDUSTRIES IN MALAYSIA

9. MAJOR GROUP OF CHEMICALS
Major
group of
chemicals
Pesticide
Hormone
Fertilizer

10. Pesticides
• Substances which are used to control, destroy, repel or
attract pests in order to minimize their detrimental
effects
Fertilizers
• Substances added to soil to improve plants’ growth and
yield
Hormones
• Substances which are used to promote/regulate the
growth of plant, human and animal

11. • 1. Cost Effectiveness – require low labour input and
allow large areas to be treated quickly and efficiently
• 2. Better timeliness and Flexibility – suitable farm
chemical is available for most pest problems. This allows
more flexibility in management options and better
timeliness of pest control.
• 3. Improve quality, quantity and price of produce –
ensure a plentiful supply and variety of high quality,
wholesome food at reasonable price.
ADVANTAGES OF USING PESTICIDES

12. • 4. Prevention of Pest problems – frequently used to prevent pest problems.
• 5. Protection of pets and humans – treatment of spiders, cockroaches
would be easier by farm chemicals.
• 6. Protection of the environment – using herbicides to control crop weeds
reduce the need for tillage, thus reducing land degradation and water
pollution.
ADVANTAGES OF USING PESTICIDES

13. Nitrogen (N) - Encourages growth of stems
and leaves.
Phosphorus (P) - Produce more flowers,
larger fruits and healthier roots and tubers.
Potassium Carbonate (Potash) (K2CO3) -
fosters protein development, thickens stems
and leaves and disease resistance
ADVANTAGES OF USING
FERTILIZERS

14. Fertilized plants are generally more disease
resistant.
Plant gain accurate source of nutrients.
Synthetic fertilizers do not carry disease
ADVANTAGES OF USING
FERTILIZERS

15. Auxins – leaves enlarge, stems elongate faster, stimulate the growth of
apical buds and helps stem cuttings root.
Gibberellins – stem elongation, increase leaf size
Cytokinins – helps in synthesis of proteins in leaves and absorption of
nutrients salt.
ADVANTAGES OF USING PLANT
HORMONE

16. rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) – to
force greater milk production (eg. Cows)
Estrous-synchronization hormone – designed to
make animals give birth at the same time. (cows)
Growth promotants hormone – increasing weight
gain of livestock
ADVANTAGES OF USING HORMONE IN
ANIMAL

17. (1.1.2) Recognize the importance of
Chemistry in Agriculture
History why we use chemical

18. History
• A fungus destroyed the entire German potato
crop in the early twentieth century resulting
in 700,000 deaths from starvation.
• Irish potato famine / Great Hunger / Potato
crop failure of nineteenth century in which
millions died and many more were force to
emigrate.

19. a) COOKING / FOOD: Chemistry explains how food
changes as you cook it, how it rots, how to
preserve food, how your body uses the food you
eat, and how ingredients interact to make food.
b) CLEANING: Chemistry explains how cleaning
works. Chemistry knowledge help to decide what
cleaner is best for dishes, laundry, human, and
home. Chemistry need in bleaches and
disinfectants process.
IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY
KNOWLEDGE

20. c) MEDICINE: Understanding of how vitamins,
supplements, and drugs can help or harm people.
Chemistry lies in developing and testing new
medical treatments and medicines.
d) ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: Understanding of
chemical as a nutrient or chemical as a pollutant.
Understanding in how to clean up the
environment and what are the processes can
produce the things without harming the
environment.
IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY
KNOWLEDGE

21. a) Conduct studies and research on fertilizers and
pesticides in the agriculture industries.
b) Develop molecules in herbicides.
c) Develop new compounds that are effectively
reduce damage to crops from pests and disease –
but are less harmful
d) Improve cost effectiveness of food production
e) Improve soil fertility
f) Increase crop yields
IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY
KNOWLEDGE IN AGRICULTURE

22. A potato leaflet showing
late blight infection caused
by Phytophthora infestans
on a potato field.
Produce sufficient high quality food for
a growing population. For example, a
fungus destroyed the entire German
potato crop in the early twentieth century
resulting in 700,000 deaths from
starvation.
Minimize starvation. For example, Irish
potato famine of eightteenth century in
which millions died and many more were
force to emigrate.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMICALS IN
AGRICULTURE

23. A photograph of diseased
potatoes after exposure to
potato blight (Phytophthora
infestans).
Taken during a field study in
2008.
Avoid fatality due to bacterial disease
and food famine. For example, the Black
Plaque of Europe in the fourteen century
when millions died from a bacterial
disease spread by fleas from rats.
Improve plants’ growth and yield.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMICALS IN
AGRICULTURE

24. What is the importance of chemistry in agriculture?
1.Chemist develop molecules used in herbicides or pesticides
1.Develop new compounds that effectively reduce damage to crops from
pests and disease but are less toxic to animals and humans who eat the
food.
2.Improving the cost-effectiveness of food production

25. What is the importance of agricultural chemistry?
4. Improve soil fertility and increase crop yields.
5. How to produce needed chemicals at a reasonable cost to their buyers
and with minimal environ-mental impact.

26. What is the importance agricultural chemistry?
6. Other recent changes in agriculture include hydroponics, plant
breeding, hybridization, gene manipulation, better management of soil
nutrients, and improving weed control.
Hydroponics
Hybridization
Plant breeding

27. 7. Agricultural chemistry has enormous importance for the national
economy

28. Adverse Effects of Farm Chemicals

29. ADVERSE EFFECTS OF FARM
CHEMICALS
•Non-target organisms, including predators and
parasites of pests can also be affected by
chemical application
Reduction of beneficial species
•Can cause severe damage and residue problems
in crops, livestock, waterways and the general
environment.
Dangerous drifts of spray and vapour

30. ADVERSE EFFECTS OF FARM
CHEMICALS
• Residues in food for humans and feed for
livestock can be consequence of direct
application of a chemical to the food source
Dangerous residues in Food
• Contamination by leached chemicals
Ground water contamination

31. ADVERSE EFFECTS OF FARM
CHEMICALS
• Overuse and incorrect use of the chemical
Resistance to pesticide in pest
• Excessive exposure if safe handling procedures
are not followed and protective clothing not
worn
Exposure to poisoning hazards

32. ASSIGNMENT