Water quality impacts on agricultural productivity and environment

Abstract

An estimated 20% of the world???s cropland under irrigated farming produces 40% of the global harvest, which means that irrigation accounts for more than double land productivity. In arid and semi-arid regions of the world, irrigation improves economic returns and boost production up to 400%. Water pollution is a serious threat to agricultural productivity and human health. Research has ascertained that poor water quality resulting from waste discharge into rivers negatively affect crop, animal and soil productivity. Hence, the need to unveil various ways in which human activities negatively affects the quality of water is considered fundamental for today and future generations. We retrieved information on how water quality affects crop growth and development; the impact of cultivating food crops, using soil contaminated with wastes from humans and or industries. Information on wastewater use in other farming activities; assessment of the effect of heavy metals in agricultural productivity and the impact of soil contamination on produce quality were highlighted.