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What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agriculture?
Decrease in the general biodiversity in the soil.
  • Elimination of food sources for the certain types of animals, causing them to relocate, change their diet, or starve.
  • Diminishing the water’s oxygen.
  • Contribution to almost 40 per cent of agricultural GHG emissions.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • a)
      1 and 3 only
    • b)
      2, 3 and 4 only
    • c)
      1, 2 and 4 only
    • d)
      1, 2, 3, and 4
    Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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    What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agricult...
    • The use of pesticides decreases the general biodiversity in the soil. Soil quality is higher without chemicals and this allows for higher water retention, necessary for plants to grow. Nitrogen fixation, which is necessary for the growth of many large plants, is hindered by pesticides that can be found in soil. This can lead to a large decline in crop yields. Application of pesticides to crops that are in bloom can kill honeybees, which act as pollinators. This also decreases crop pollination and reproduction. Animals may be poisoned by pesticide residues that remain on food after spraying. An application of pesticides in an area can eliminate food sources that certain types of animals need, causing the animals to relocate, change their diet, or starve. Poisoning from pesticides can even make its way up the food chain; for example, birds can be harmed when they eat insects and worms that have consumed pesticides.
    • There is evidence that birds are being harmed by pesticide use. Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring discusses the loss of several bird species due to accumulation of pesticides in their tissues. Types of fungicides used in farming are only slightly toxic to birds and mammals, but may kill off earthworms, which can in turn reduce populations of the birds and mammals that feed on them. Additionally, as some pesticides come in granular form, birds and other wildlife may eat the granules, mistaking them for grains of food. A few granules of a pesticide are enough to kill a small bird. Herbicides may also endanger bird populations by reducing their habitat.
    • Fish and other aquatic biota may be harmed by pesticide-contaminated water. Application of herbicides to bodies of water can cause plants to die, diminishing the water’s oxygen and suffocating the fish. Repeated exposure of some pesticides can cause physiological and behavioural changes in fish that reduce populations, such as abandonment of nests, decreased immunity to disease, and increased failure to avoid predators.
    • Fertilizers are associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere during their production, transport and use. The use of inorganic fertilizers, and manure storage and use, contribute almost 40 per cent of agricultural GHG emissions. Better nitrogen management is one of the most effective GHG reduction strategies that farmers can adopt. On the positive side, agricultural intensification has been associated with a reduction of loss of forests which serve as carbon sinks.
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    What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agricult...
    Impact of Inappropriate Use of Pesticides in Agriculture

    Decrease in Biodiversity in the Soil:
    - Pesticides can kill not only the targeted pests but also non-targeted organisms in the soil, including beneficial ones like earthworms and microbes.
    - This can lead to a decrease in the general biodiversity in the soil, which can harm the overall health of the soil and reduce its ability to support plant growth.

    Elimination of Food Sources for Certain Types of Animals:
    - Pesticides can also harm non-targeted animals that rely on plants or insects for food.
    - When their food sources are eliminated, these animals may have to relocate, change their diet, or starve, which can disrupt the local ecosystem.

    Diminishing Water's Oxygen:
    - Pesticides can also enter water bodies through runoff or leaching and harm aquatic organisms.
    - They can reduce the water's oxygen levels, making it difficult for fish and other aquatic animals to survive.

    Contribution to Agricultural GHG Emissions:
    - The production and use of pesticides contribute to almost 40% of agricultural GHG emissions, which can contribute to climate change.

    Therefore, the inappropriate use of pesticides in agriculture can harm not only the environment but also human health and food security. It is essential to use pesticides judiciously and adopt alternative methods to control pests and diseases in agriculture.
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    What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agriculture? Decrease in the general biodiversity in the soil. Elimination of food sources for the certain types of animals, causing them to relocate, change their diet, or starve. Diminishing the water’s oxygen. Contribution to almost 40 per cent of agricultural GHG emissions. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3, and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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    What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agriculture? Decrease in the general biodiversity in the soil. Elimination of food sources for the certain types of animals, causing them to relocate, change their diet, or starve. Diminishing the water’s oxygen. Contribution to almost 40 per cent of agricultural GHG emissions. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3, and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agriculture? Decrease in the general biodiversity in the soil. Elimination of food sources for the certain types of animals, causing them to relocate, change their diet, or starve. Diminishing the water’s oxygen. Contribution to almost 40 per cent of agricultural GHG emissions. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3, and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What can be the impact of inappropriate use of pesticides in agriculture? Decrease in the general biodiversity in the soil. Elimination of food sources for the certain types of animals, causing them to relocate, change their diet, or starve. Diminishing the water’s oxygen. Contribution to almost 40 per cent of agricultural GHG emissions. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 3 onlyb)2, 3 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3, and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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