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9: Conventional and Sustainable Agriculture

  • Page ID
    222296
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    Learning Outcomes

    • Describe the components of soils
    • Discuss how land use affects global ecosystem conditions
    • Identify environmental effects of pesticides
    • Recognize the relationship between exposure to POPs and human health
    • Explain alternative practices in farming and soil management

    • 9.1: Soil Profiles and Processes
      This page defines soil and highlights its significance in agriculture and ecosystems, exploring its composition and the role of biogeochemical cycles. It identifies five key factors influencing soil formation: climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time, each impacting soil characteristics and development.
    • 9.2: Soil-Plant Interactions
      This page discusses the essential role of soil in plant growth, highlighting its provision of support, water, and nutrients. It details the importance of macronutrients (C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, B, Mo, Cl, Zn, Cu) for plant health, noting that imbalances can affect nutrient availability and oxygen levels.
    • 9.3: Conventional Agriculture
      This page outlines the role of conventional agriculture in global food production, emphasizing its efficiency and technological advancements. However, it also addresses ecological and health issues like soil degradation and pollution, alongside economic concerns related to agribusiness concentration and the decline of small farms.
    • 9.4: Pests and Pesticides
      This page examines pests and pesticides, noting the subjective nature of pests and the risks tied to pesticide use. While pesticides can benefit agriculture and public health, their overuse poses environmental and health hazards, especially in developing countries with weak regulations.
    • 9.5: Sustainable Agriculture
      This page explores sustainable agriculture, focusing on practices that satisfy human needs while improving environmental quality and farm viability. It highlights the ecological benefits of organic farming, eco-friendly pest management techniques like Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and promotes soil health through intercropping and crop rotation. The discussion also emphasizes innovative practices among farmers, reflecting the increasing significance of sustainability in agriculture.
    • 9.6: Chapter Summary
      This page discusses the importance of soil for plant growth and the negative consequences of modern agriculture, particularly pesticide use, which harms ecosystems and increases costs. It highlights sustainable practices like organic farming and integrated pest management as alternatives to address these issues and support ecological health.

    Thumbnail image - Women farmers planting a rice field in West Sumatra.


    This page titled 9: Conventional and Sustainable Agriculture was last modified on Sat, 26 Sep 2026 21:19:04 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Paul Hankamp via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.