Question

Major drawback of DDT as a pesticide is that

• A. Organisms at once develop resistance to it
• B. It is significantly less effective than other pesticides.
• C. Its cost of production is high.
• D. It is not easily and rapidly degraded in nature

Answer 1

The correct option is D

It is not easily and rapidly degraded in nature

The correct option is D.

Explanation of correct option

1. DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a pesticide that is not degradable and is used to kill insects.
2. It accumulates in living tissues due to its fat solubility, which is its main drawback. The human body is unable to break it down, resulting in its accumulation in the food chain.
3. Animals are also poisoned as a result of it.
4. It has an effect on birds because the creation of thin eggshells is susceptible to harm.
5. The chemical builds up in fish, and when birds eat them, the poison builds up in their adipose tissue, leading to weaker eggs.
6. Thus, DDT has a long half-life in the environment. It pollutes the air, land, and water since it degrades slowly.

Explanation of incorrect options

Option A:

1. During World war-II because of the widespread usage of DDT, several target insect species have developed resistance to it.
2. But this was not the reason to stop its usage.

Option B:

1. DDT is very effective to kill insects and is widely available.

Option C:

1. DDT is the most affordable pesticide. Its cost of production is not high.

Final Answer: Major drawback of DDT as a pesticide is that it is not easily and rapidly degraded in nature