To reduce pesticide use, a farmer can employ biological control by using beneficial insects and establish buffer strips that provide habitats for these organisms while trapping pollutants.
To reduce the need for pesticides on a farm, a farmer can use various alternative strategies. Option B, using beneficial insects, describes the concept of biological control, which is the use of organisms, like predatory insects, to control pest populations naturally. Practices such as interplanting cotton with wheat or maize, and using pest resistant cultivars can also disrupt the cycle of weeds, insects, and diseases. Furthermore, instead of spraying whole fields, applying pesticides to targeted areas when absolutely necessary can protect the beneficial organisms that help regulate pests.
Another effective practice is the use of buffer strips, which are E, natural or planted areas designed to trap pollutants, such as pesticides, before they reach water bodies, and can also provide habitat for beneficial insects. Hence, both using beneficial insects and buffer strips aid in reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.