5.6 Pest Control Methods

Describe the benefits and drawbacks of different methods of pest control.

• One consequence of using common pest-control methods such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and insecticides is that organisms can become resistant to them through artificial selection. Pest control decreases crop damage by pest and increases crop yields.
• Crops can be genetically engineered to increase their resistance to pests and diseases. However, using genetically engineered crops in planting or other ways can lead to loss of genetic diversity of that particular crop.
• Enduring understanding EIN-2: When humans use natural resources, they alter natural systems.