Strong agricultural chemicals called soil fumigants are used to suppress weeds, diseases, nematodes, and pests that infect crops and compromise crop health. In order to give crops a fresh start, they are sprayed on before planting in order to sterilize the soil or reduce pest populations. However, due to health and environmental issues, their use is debatable.Soil fumigants are primarily used to get rid of a variety of soil-dwelling organisms that pose a threat to crops. These substances infiltrate the ground and interfere with the biological functions of pests, thereby decreasing or getting rid of them completely. This pre-plant soil treatment is especially important in intensive farming systems, where pest control may not be achieved only by crop rotation. Methyl bromide is one of the most widely used soil fumigants, although the Montreal Protocol has severely limited its use because of its ozone-depleting characteristics. Alternatives with differing degrees of efficacy and environmental impact, such as 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone), metam sodium, and chloropicrin, are increasingly more often employed.Soil fumigants are effective, however they come with a number of health and environmental hazards. When used, these substances have the ability to leak into groundwater or volatilize into the air, endangering nearby ecosystems and water sources. Fumigants can be inhaled or applied topically to the skin, which can result in immediate respiratory disorders, skin irritation, and more serious health concerns over time. Their persistence in the environment, where they can damage non-target creatures like wildlife and beneficial soil bacteria, as well as contribute to air pollution, is the main cause for environmental concerns. These problems are further exacerbated by the fact that pest populations become resistant over time, requiring higher application rates or more powerful fumigants.Global regulatory agencies keep a careful eye on the application of soil fumigants and enforce stringent rules on rates, techniques, and safety precautions to reduce hazards to the environment and public health. In an effort to lessen dependency on fumigants, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies—which integrate chemical, cultural, and biological control methods—are being recommended more and more. In conclusion, even though soil fumigants are essential to contemporary agriculture because they guarantee crop quality and productivity, their usage poses serious risks to the environment and human health. To limit negative effects on ecosystems and human health, weighing the benefits against the dangers necessitates carefully weighing alternative pest management options and strict adherence to safety protocols.
