Importance of Chemistry for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

The basic need of human being is food. It is the agriculture only which fulfills this need for the entire population of the world. Plants are called producers as they synthesize their own food using CO2 from air and water from soil utilizing sunlight as source of energy by a process known as photosynthesis. The rest of the food chain consists of consumers only. The practice of producing crops and livestock from the natural resources of the earth is called Agriculture. Chemistry is basically known as study of matter and its interactions with other matter and energy. Since it talks about energy and matters, it also covers the reaction of different elements and how it is formed. It also deals with compounds, both organic and inorganic, and agriculture deals with the production of organic products using both organic and inorganic inputs, thus Chemistry forms an integral part of agriculture from molecular to organ level.

As an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Student, learning chemistry is very essential since it is one of the studies covered in the fields of practice especially in its application for a sustainable and upgraded agriculture. It is also the role of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer to the apply and use engineering science and designs to the processes and systems involved in the sustainable production, post production and processing of safe food, feed, fiber, timber and other agricultural and biological materials and the efficient utilization, conservation, and management of natural and renewable resources in order to enhance human health in harmony with the environment. Agricultural and biosystems consist of crops, forestry and other plants, poultry, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture resources and other animals, wildlife and other living things.

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering cover specialization such as

Agricultural and Biosystems Power and Machinery; Irrigation and Drainage Engineering;

Soil and Water Conservation Engineering: Agricultural and Biosystems Buildings and

Structures; Agricultural and Bio-process Engineering; Food Engineering;

Renewable/Bio-Energy and Farm Electrification; Agricultural and Biological Waste

Management; Aquacultural Engineering; Forest Engineering; Agricultural and

Biosystems Automation and Instrumentation; Agricultural and Bio-Information System;

Agrometeorology; and Agricultural and Biological Resource Conservation and Management.

These specializations use and apply chemistry in able to perform the roles in proper.

Chemistry has lot of roles in the field of agriculture. Some of its example is as agricultural fertilizers. Fertilizers can be divided into two categories: organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers are derived from living systems and include animal manure,fish and bone meal, and compost. These organic fertilizers are decomposed by microorganisms in the soil to release their nutrients for use by plants. Chemical fertilizers are less complex and have high concentrations of chemicals that may be in short supply in the soil namely nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. Fertilizers also provide micro nutrients which are required in much smaller quantities namely boron, chlorice, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc., insecticides and pesticides. : In order to minimize the damage of the crops by pests a large variety of chemicals known as pesticides are used. Subclasses of this are herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, pediculicides, and biocides depending on its target. With active research in this field safer and greener pesticides are being developed. Plastic pipes for improved irrigation. Plastic was derived from chemistry and this is widely used in agriculture. This has increased irrigation massively which results in a better environment for the crops to prosper in. Storage and preservation of agriculture produce. Sulfur dioxide is used to keep grain fresh and useable for a longer period of time. Food preservatives like sodium benzoate and salicylic acid are used for longer shelf life. New generation refrigerants have been developed. Chemicals are added to promote the ripening of fruits or the germination of seeds. Food packaging has advanced due to the material produced by advancements in chemistry. Agricultural chemistry has increased the diversity of the human diet and has led to a greater overall availability of food, both animal and plant. Food processing which includes development of Saccharin and sweeteners, Vitamins and minerals. Consumers have benefited from new technologies that have enhanced the flavor, appearance, availability, and nutritional value of their food. Chemicals from agriculture waste: Advancement in Chemistry has resulted in development of technologies to produce a variety of chemicals from agricultural waste. Production of alcohol from bagasse which is used as the feedstock for chemicals is good example.

As an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering student, chemistry is very essential since it is in the scope of our future professions. Thus Chemistry has been and is still closely linked to the progress in agriculture field. It provides innovative new ways to widen the boundaries of agriculture and to combat potential problems and thus increasing productivity and quality of produce.

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