Question

Even though the use of pesticides increases crop production, they adversely affect living organisms. Explain the function and the adverse effects of pesticides.

Answer 1

Pesticides are the chemicals that are used to kill or stop the growth of unwanted organisms. But these pesticides can affect the health of human beings. Pesticides are classified as

• insecticides,
• Fungicides and
• Herbicides.

1. Insecticides:
   Insecticides like DDT, BHC, Aidrin can stay in soil for a long period of time and are absorbed by the soil. They contaminate root crops like carrot, radish.

2. Fungicides:
   Organomercury compounds dissociate in soil to produce mercury which is highly toxic.

3. Herbicides:
   They are used to control unwanted plants and are also known as weed killers. Eg, Sodium chlorate, sodium nitrate. They are toxic to mammals.