agrochemical, n. (and a.)
(ægrəʊˈkɛmɪkəl)
[f. agro- + chemical n.]
A chemical used in agriculture, esp. a biologically active one such as a weedkiller or a fungicide. Also attrib. or as adj. Cf. agrichemical a. and n.
| 1960 Biol. Abstr. 1 Jan. 215/2 Years of work by the Dolgoprudnaya Agrochemical Testing Station have proven the highly beneficial consequences of systematic application of manure in crop rotation. 1963 Economist 30 Mar. 1222/3, 29 per cent of its sales were accounted for by defence contracts..and 21 per cent by agrochemical and industrial products. 1964 Ibid. 11 Apr. 167/1 Recent Russian purchases of chemical plant have been directed by the need for ‘agro-chemicals’, urgently required to improve agricultural output. 1970 Daily Tel. 28 Apr. 22/1 While a rapid turn-round can be expected in agrochemicals, the position in the main fertiliser market remains uncertain. 1978 Dumfries Courier 20 Oct. 13/3 West Cumberland Farmers are one of four co-operatives involved in the formation of a new agro-chemical marketing company. 1984 ‘D. Archer’ Ambridge Years 119 In my lifetime, four things have happened to revolutionize farming: mechanization, plant breeding, livestock breeding and the development of agro-chemicals. |