effects of pesticides on soil organisms
Pesticides and pollution of the soil First, affect soil quality. Decrease biodiversity in the soil because they do not just kill the intended pest; they often kill many of the other small organisms present. Soil quality deteriorates and this has a knock-on effect upon the retention of water. Soil fertility is affected too. When pesticides kill off most of the active soil organisms, the complex interactions which result in good fertility break down. Plants depend on millions of bacteria and fungi to bring