The desire to reduce the cost of a unit of production and increase labour productivity are the main directions in the development of modern agriculture. Until the end of the twentieth century, it was achieved by the creation of more economical agricultural machines, the use of effective fertilizers and pesticides, rational agrotechnological cultivation of the land, as well as by the creation of new varieties of agricultural plants.
The process of development of these technologies in our time has reached its perfection and has no more room for the development of modern agriculture. The rapid development of modern science and technology has given agriculture new tools that were inaccessible and imperfect before. They include the growth of computer technology, the availability of space technology, the emergence of more advanced machines and units, which allowed agricultural producers to use these tools to increase labour productivity, increase crop yields, and reduce production costs.
The importance of agriculture is not limited to simple food production, as it affects the natural environment and the processes taking place in it, as well as human health. Uncontrolled use of pesticides and fertilizers, disruption of water irrigation and drainage methods, high levels of mechanization or use of unsuitable land can lead to land degradation.
The impurities present in fertilizers accumulate in the soil and are absorbed by the crops grown, theoretically compromising food safety. A high level of nitrogen can also contribute to eutrophication (overgrowth of plants, animals, and microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems), which contributes to oxygen deficiency in water. This leads to the development of anaerobic organisms and suppresses aerobic organisms, which causes biodiversity loss.
Elevated levels of nitrogen can lead to water blooms, changes in biodiversity and species composition, increased deposition of organic material and decreased oxygen levels—hypoxia. Blooming degrades water quality increasing the number of disease-causing bacteria, making the water unsuitable for swimming, and reducing the recreational potential of water bodies. Water blooms also lead to the release of toxins that are toxic to humans, livestock and fish [1].