MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Pesticides that remain in the soil longer can:

1. Lead to faster evaporation

2. Become more susceptible to leaching

3. Provide more time for microorganisms to degrade them

4. Become more toxic over time

The correct answer is: Provide more time for microorganisms to degrade them

The correct choice indicates that pesticides remaining in the soil longer can provide more time for microorganisms to degrade them. This process is crucial because many pesticides are designed to break down through microbial action, which can reduce their potential environmental impact. The extended presence of these pesticides provides an opportunity for beneficial soil microorganisms to metabolize and degrade them, turning harmful substances into less toxic or non-toxic compounds over time. This biological degradation is a natural process that enhances soil health and reduces the risk of pesticide accumulation in the ecosystem. It supports the concept of integrated pest management, where reducing pesticide residues is key to maintaining both effective pest control and environmental safety. In contrast, other choices undersell this degradation process by either suggesting alternatives that aren't supported by the nature of pesticides or imply negative consequences of persistence in the soil that do not focus on the positive role of microorganisms.