2024, Vol. 7, Special Issue 4

author(s)
Akanksha and Sucheta Dahiya

abstract
Using pesticides has always been an issue in agriculture since we also have to take care of the environment. For a while now, there have been discussions over the use of pesticides in agriculture, which usually clashes with the imperative of sustainable development. Pest control agents, i.e., pesticides, are substances formulated to kill insects-pests that feed on crops, thus destroying the same. These chemicals eliminate pests and reduce their reproduction (Kumar et al., 2019). For centuries, different types of pesticides have been used for crop protection. While pesticides are advantageous to crops, they cause severe environmental consequences and can lead to biodiversity loss. These toxic agents pose a grave danger to animals, birds, soil microorganisms, and aquatic organisms for survival, putting them at risk of extinction (Mahmood et al., 2016). This paper discusses how pesticides affect soil quality and approaches for attaining pest management and sustainability goals. It demonstrates the consequences pesticides have on soil health, the possible dangers for ecosystems, and the possibility of finding a balance between effective pest control and the need for a scientifically oriented strategy for tackling pest control issues. The impact of pesticides on soil quality and possible repercussions for ecosystems are explored in this paper, along with other alternatives for keeping pest pressure under control without damaging the environment and ways of keeping pests within permissible limits.