Which of the following is a beneficial outcome of pesticide degradation?

Pesticide degradation refers to the process by which chemical compounds in pesticides break down into simpler, less harmful substances over time. The beneficial outcome of reduced pesticide residue is crucial because high levels of pesticide residues can be detrimental to human health, non-target organisms, and the environment. Effective degradation ensures that these harmful residues diminish, promoting a safer and healthier ecosystem.

When pesticides degrade, they lessen the risk of contamination in soil and water sources and decrease the likelihood of bioaccumulation in wildlife. This process ultimately supports sustainable agricultural practices by allowing for safer crop production and consumption with minimized health risks to humans and wildlife.

While increased soil fertility, enhancement of plant growth, and improved water retention can be important aspects of agricultural management, they are not direct outcomes of pesticide degradation. Instead, these factors often involve other practices in soil management and agricultural techniques. Thus, the reduction of pesticide residue is directly tied to the effective breakdown of pesticides and is the most relevant beneficial outcome of pesticide degradation.