Agrichemicals

Agrichemicals are chemical products used in agriculture to protect crops, to promote growth, or to improve yield and quality. The term covers a broad range of substances, from crop protection products such as pesticides to fertilizers and soil amendments, as well as adjuvants and chemical growth regulators used in farming practices.

Major categories include pesticides (pesticides is umbrella; subcategories: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nematicides), plant growth regulators, and fertilizers. Other agrichemicals include soil conditioners, seed coatings, and spray or irrigation additives (adjuvants) that modify effectiveness, reduce drift, or improve application.

Applications occur in field crops, fruits and vegetables, ornamentals, and greenhouse production, using methods such as spraying, drenching, seed treatment, granules, or foliar applications. Product labeling specifies rate, timing, compatibility, and safety measures. Some products are integrated into pest management programs to minimize environmental impact and delay resistance.

Regulation of agrichemicals varies by country. In many jurisdictions, registration requires risk assessment, labeling, and post-market monitoring. Agencies evaluate human health, ecological effects, and residues in food. Compliance involves worker protection, environmental safeguards, and restrictions on use near water, pollinators, or schools. Public and scientific scrutiny continues to shape approval, usage patterns, and phase-outs of particular substances.

Environmental and agricultural concerns include non-target effects, persistence, runoff, and resistance development. Practices such as integrated pest management, precision agriculture, and development of safer formulations aim to reduce reliance on chemicals. The market also evolves with consumer demand for lower-residue produce and organic farming, which restricts synthetic agrichemicals in favor of organic-approved inputs and alternatives.