Which of the following practices could lead to resistance in pests?

The choice of overusing the same pesticide identifies a significant risk factor for developing resistance in pest populations. This practice permits selective pressure on the pests, where those individuals that have or develop resistance genes survive and reproduce, eventually resulting in a population that can withstand the pesticide. Unlike varying treatment approaches like crop rotation, mixing different pesticide classes, or implementing integrated pest management—which are strategies designed to disrupt the lifecycle of pests and reduce the likelihood of resistance—overreliance on a single chemical creates an environment conducive to resistance evolution.

By continuously applying the same pesticide, the effectiveness diminishes over time as the resistant individuals prevail, leading to a scenario where the pesticide becomes ineffective against the pest population. Properly managing pesticide applications through diversified strategies is essential in preserving pesticide efficacy and mitigating resistance issues.