Question

When DDT was applied in an orchard as a pesticide, the food production decreased. This happened because
A. DDT killed the pollinating insects along with the pests
B. DDT inhibited flowering
C. DDT is a growth retardant
D. DDT disturbed hormonal balance essential for fruit setting

Answer 1

Hint: DDT is a class $2$ insecticide used in agriculture. Class $2$ means it is moderately toxic used to kill or repel mosquitoes and other insects. DDT is a chemical used as mosquito repellent, in pest control, pesticide, fertilizer and many more.

Complete step by step answer:
DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) having chemical formula ${{C}_{14}}{{H}_{9}}C{{l}_{5}}$ also known as $1$,$1$,$1$-trichloro-$2$,$2$-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane.
It is a man made insecticide member of the family of organic halogen compounds.
DDT was initially used by the military in World War II to control malaria, lice and other diseases.
Other than as insecticide this class $2$ chemical is as loused in laboratories as to experiment on different animals like mice, dogs, rats etc.
In orchard DDT is sprayed as a pesticide to kill weeds.
But on the contrary it is toxic and harmful because it is non biodegradable and lasts long in the environment. It causes health and environment issues. It causes chronic effects on the nervous system.
Over exposure to DDT by humans can cause vomiting, uneasiness, shaking, and headache also affects the liver.
DDT is colorless, odourless, tasteless chemical which can stay in soil for as long as $2$ to \[15\] years.
So in conclusion DDT killed the harmful pests in an orchard but along with them it also killed the useful pollinating insects causing the decrease in production of fruits (option A).

So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: DDT is a modern chemical crop forests and also as IRS (Indoor Residual Spraying). DDT is used by farmers on a variety of crops due to some reasons such as it is effective, cheap, comparatively inexpensive to produce, controls insects in livestock production, and many more.