What is an adverse effect of improper pesticide application?

Improper pesticide application can lead to pest resistance, which is one of the significant adverse effects. When pesticides are applied incorrectly or excessively, pests can be exposed to sub-lethal doses of the chemicals. This exposure can allow certain pests to survive and reproduce, passing on genetic traits that confer resistance to future applications of the same pesticide. Over time, this resistance can lead to an increase in pest populations that are difficult to control, requiring the use of stronger or more toxic chemicals, which can have serious environmental and economic consequences.

In contrast, increased crop yield, enhanced plant health, and soil improvement are generally considered positive outcomes of proper pesticide use and management practices. While these outcomes can be achieved through effective and responsible pesticide application, improper application does not contribute to these benefits and can instead degrade agricultural practices and ecological balance. Thus, pest resistance stands out as a clear and detrimental consequence of improper pesticide use.