Developing crops resistant to certain insects generally leads to what change regarding chemical applications?
Answer
A reduction in the need for broad-spectrum chemical insecticide applications.
One of the primary agricultural benefits tied to developing genetically modified crops engineered for pest resistance, such as Bt corn varieties, is the modification's inherent ability to protect itself from target pests. When a crop produces its own defense mechanism against specific insects, the farmer's necessity to apply external, broad-spectrum chemical insecticides designed to kill those pests is significantly lessened. This targeted resistance mechanism directly leads to a documented decrease in the volume and frequency of insecticide spraying compared to conventional farming practices for the same pest challenges.
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