Context:
In 2023, the number of districts found to be excessively nitrate-contaminated is 440, as against 359 in 2017.
- Importance of Nitrate Concentration in Agriculture:
- Soil fertility and Crop productivity
- Nitrate can cause soil fertility and crop productivity to be affected.
- Water Pollution
- Nitrate contamination can lead to water pollution that causes methemia in infants.
- Ecosystem Degradation
- Nitrate can cause ecosystem degradation, deplete oxygen, and kill aquatic animals.
- Greenhouse Gases
- Nitrate can increase the emission of greenhouse gases and thus intensify global warming.
- Productivity of Agriculture
- Nitrate can lower the cost-effectiveness and productivity of agriculture.
- Soil fertility and Crop productivity
- Control Measures Against Nitrate Contamination
- Balanced fertilizers, slow-release or controlled-release fertilizers, precision agriculture, improved irrigation, crop rotation and diversification, regulation and monitoring, training and awareness, remediation of contaminated groundwater, advanced filtration technologies, etc.
