What processes degrade pesticides?

• A. Chemical processes
• B. Phytochemical (sunlight) processes
• C. Microbial processes
• D. Mechanical processes

Answer: (B)

Sunlight can directly break pesticide molecules or initiate reactions that do, which is photochemical (photolytic) degradation. This degradation pathway uses energy from photons to cleave chemical bonds, producing less stable or more easily broken-down products. It’s a distinct environmental fate process, especially for pesticides that absorb light. While chemical (abiotic) and microbial (biodegradation) processes also degrade pesticides, the emphasis on sunlight makes this option the best fit. Mechanical processes don’t degrade the chemical structure—they mainly move or remove pesticides through physical forces.