What are pesticides primarily used for?

Pesticides are primarily used for killing insects, weeds, and other crop pests to protect agricultural yields. These chemicals are specifically formulated to target organisms that can cause harm to crops, such as insects that feed on plant tissues or weeds that compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight. By effectively managing these pests, pesticides help to increase the productivity of crops and ensure a more stable food supply. The use of pesticides can also mitigate the spread of diseases that pests might carry, further contributing to the health of both crops and the broader ecosystem.

In contrast, enhancing soil fertility typically involves the use of fertilizers rather than pesticides, which focus on pest control. Controlling crop growth might refer to practices like thinning or pruning but does not directly involve pesticides. Improving water quality is associated with various environmental management practices, rather than the primary use of pesticides.