Which best describes the advantage of pest resistance?
- Pests can tolerate more pesticides.
- Pesticides become less effective.
- Farmers do not have to use harsh chemicals to save their crops.
- Farmers can kill weeds without killing their cash crop.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is: Farmers do not have to use harsh chemicals to save their crops.
Explanation:
Pest resistance refers to the ability of pests (such as insects, fungi, and weeds) to survive and reproduce despite the application of pesticides that would normally control their population. The development of pest resistance can have significant advantages in agricultural practices. One of the most notable benefits is that farmers do not have to rely on or use harsh chemicals to protect their crops.
In the past, many farmers have used chemical pesticides to protect their crops from various pests. However, the continuous use of these chemicals often leads to the development of resistance in pests. Over time, pests may evolve to tolerate or even thrive in the presence of these chemicals. This means that farmers need to use stronger and potentially more harmful chemicals, or they must increase the frequency of pesticide applications to maintain effectiveness.
Farmers with pest-resistant crops, however, can significantly reduce the use of chemical pesticides. Pest-resistant crops are specifically engineered to withstand attacks from pests, reducing the need for pesticide application. This has several benefits:
- Healthier environment – Less pesticide usage results in reduced contamination of the soil, water, and air.
- Lower cost for farmers – Less money is spent on buying pesticides.
- Improved public health – Reduced pesticide exposure leads to fewer health risks to farmers, workers, and consumers.
- Biodiversity protection – By reducing pesticide use, non-target species such as beneficial insects, pollinators, and other wildlife are better protected.
In conclusion, pest resistance in crops offers an important advantage for farmers by enabling them to reduce the use of harsh chemicals. This can lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, while also helping to maintain the effectiveness of pest control methods over the long term.