There is a two-way relationship between air pollution and agriculture as the impact goes both ways. Production of food contributes to air pollution, in the same way, air pollution affects agricultural production.

Agriculture is also a source of air pollution. It is the dominant anthropogenic source of ammonia. Livestock account for about 40 percent of global emissions, mineral fertilizers for 16 percent and biomass burning and crop residues for about 18 percent. The burning of plant biomass is another major source of air pollutants, including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and smoke particles. Similarly, agricultural crops can be injured when exposed to high concentrations of various air pollutants. Injury ranges from visible markings on the foliage, to reduced growth and yield, to premature death of the plant. The development and severity of the injury depends not only on the concentration of the particular pollutant, but also on a number of other factors. These include the length of exposure to the pollutant, the plant species and its stage of development as well as the environmental factors conducive to a build-up of the pollutant and to the preconditioning of the plant, which make it either susceptible or resistant to injury.

How can we reduce air pollution from agriculture?

Reducing ammonia emissions, mainly coming from manure produced by livestock and from mineral nitrogen fertilizers, will lead to lower concentrations of fine particulate matter, which will in turn greatly benefit our health.

The International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops is assessing the impacts of air pollutants, particularly ground-level ozone, on crops.

source:- http://unece.org/air-pollution-and-food-production