What does "pesticide resistance" refer to?

Pesticide resistance refers to the ability of pests, such as insects, weeds, or pathogens, to survive pesticide treatments that would typically be lethal to non-resistant populations. Over time, some pests may develop genetic mutations or acquire traits that enable them to withstand the active ingredients in these chemicals, thereby allowing them to continue to thrive despite exposure to pesticides.

This phenomenon often occurs when a pesticide is used repeatedly in the same area or on the same crop, leading to the selection of resistant individuals. As these resistant pests reproduce, they pass on their resistant traits to future generations, resulting in a population that is increasingly difficult to control. Understanding pesticide resistance is crucial for developing effective pest management strategies and can influence decisions on crop protection practices to minimize its development.

The other options do not accurately capture the concept of pesticide resistance. The inability of pests to adapt is not representative of resistance; instead, it describes a vulnerability. Decreased effectiveness of pesticides over time might refer to factors other than resistance, such as environmental conditions or degradation. Increased susceptibility, conversely, does not relate to resistance at all but rather implies that pests become more vulnerable to treatments, which is opposite to the definition of resistance.