Contribution à l’étude de l’impact de l’agriculture intensive : Evaluation de l’effet des engrais et et pesticides sur la qualité du sol et de l’eau d’irrigation au niveau des exploitations agricoles

Abstract

Intensive agriculture in Algeria has experienced significant development to meet the growing demand for agricultural products and to ensure food security. This intensification relies on increased use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and modern irrigation techniques to improve yields. However, excessive use of these chemical inputs can alter soil properties, affect its fertility, and degrade the quality of irrigation waters, thereby compromising the sustainability of natural resources. In this context, the present study aims to assess the impact of intensive agricultural practices, notably the use of fertilizers and pesticides, on the physico‐chemical quality of soil and irrigation water in several farms within the Aïn Témouchent province. The work is based first on a field survey of socio‐agronomic data carried out in April 2026 on four farms located in the communes of Sidi Ben Adda and Chabat, complemented by physico‐chemical analyses of soil and irrigation water samples. The results show a predominance of tree crops in two farms, while the third is devoted to cereal cultivation and market gardening, where a heavy reliance on chemical inputs is observed, except for one farm where organic manure was used. Pedological analyses reveal substantial variability in physical and chemical properties, with organic matter contents ranging from 5.66% to 12.5%, slightly acidic pH values between 5.71 and 6.35, and electrical conductivity varying from 0.210 to 7.370 mS/cm, indicating contrasting degrees of salinity. Soils S3 and S4 stand out for their higher organic and mineral richness, favorable to greater biological activity. Concerning irrigation waters, analyses revealed variable quality, characterized by heterogeneous salinity levels, variable amounts of suspended solids, and an overall mildly alkaline pH. Overall, this study highlights the influence of intensive agricultural practices on soil and irrigation water quality, underscoring the need for more sustainable management of agricultural inputs to preserve natural resources and the productivity of agroecosystems.