Passage
Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. The consumption of pesticides in some of the developed countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, there are reports that these compounds possess inherent toxicities that endanger the health of the farm operators, consumers, and the environment. Synthetic pesticides are generally persistent in the environment. Entering the food chain, they destroy microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in the development of resistance among insects to insecticides, upsetting the balance in nature and resurgence of treated populations. Natural pest control using botanical pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticidal properties have been in nature for millions of years without any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by many microbes common in most soils. They help in the maintenance of biological diversity of predators and the reduction of environmental contamination and human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from plants are biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a practical sustainable alternative.
QUESTION
CSAT
Easy
Comprehension
Prelims 2017
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding biopesticides?
- They are not hazardous to human health.
- They are persistent in the environment.
- They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Select an option to attempt
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