Pesticides Pollution in Agroecosystems and Their Social and Ecological Consequences

Abstract

Numerous biological and cultural methods have been used to manage pests since the dawn of agriculture. But as the population grew, it became necessary to discover quick fixes for these pests. Pest-toxic chemicals turned out to be a practical tool for pest management. Given the rising need for agricultural products, the use of agrochemicals in agriculture has become unavoidable. Agrochemical production, marketing, and use have expanded many times since the start of the green revolution. In addition to having detrimental effects on non-target species, the chemical-based agriculture production system has societal and ecological repercussions, including contaminating food, rivers, soils, and bottom sediments. The detrimental effects of agrochemicals on the environment and human health were only discovered in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Agrochemical toxicity to humans and other environmental components was evaluated once the negative effects of excessive use were recognized. The effects of these agrochemicals, particularly pesticides, were examined at various trophic levels of the agroecosystem, influencing the main environmental elements like soil, water, and air. The effects of pesticide residues were discussed in this article along with potential remedies to lessen their effects.