Pesticide treadmill refers to :

Pesticide treadmill refers to :

Increase in concentration of pesticides in the body of the organism
Increase in doses of pesticides to prevent the resurgence of pests that were being controlled
Development of resistance in plant due to excessive and prolonged use of pesticide
Production of more synthetic pesticides
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
Pesticide treadmill refers to the cycle where increasing amounts or more potent pesticides are needed because target pest populations develop resistance to the chemicals being used.
Pesticide resistance occurs through natural selection. When a pesticide is applied, it kills susceptible individuals, but some individuals with resistance genes survive. These survivors reproduce, passing on their resistance. Over time, the population becomes dominated by resistant individuals. This renders the original pesticide ineffective at its previous dose, requiring higher doses or the use of different, often stronger, pesticides to achieve control. This escalating use of pesticides is the “treadmill”.
This phenomenon has significant environmental and economic consequences, including increased costs for pest control, potential harm to non-target organisms, pollution of soil and water, and health risks associated with higher pesticide exposure. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies aim to break this cycle by using a combination of methods (biological, cultural, physical, and chemical) to manage pests sustainably.
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