Question

What are pesticides and herbicides? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

Pesticide- Mixture of two or more substances used to kill pests.
Herbicide - Type of pesticide used to kill unwanted plants.

Complete answer:

Pesticides are the substances or a mixture of two or more substances used by humans for killing pests like insects, rodents, mites etc. or prevent the damage caused by pests. These pesticides are mostly used in crops to prevent pests which destroy crops. Examples of pesticides are- Aldrin, Methomyl, Aldicarb, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. Examples of specific synthetic chemical pesticides are glyphosate, Acephate, Deet, Propoxur, Metaldehyde, Boric Acid, Diazinon, Dursban, DDT, Malathion, etc. pesticides have drawbacks, such as potential toxicity to humans and other species.
Herbicides are the pesticides which are most commonly used to kill unwanted plants like weeds in farms or crops are. Examples of herbicides - Acetochlor, Atrazine, Amitrole, Dinosep. Herbicides are harmful for living beings. These are weed killers, e.g., sodium chlorate and sodium arsenite . These are toxic to mammals. Some herbicides also have drawbacks that cause birth defects. Nowadays triazines, better herbicides are used for the corn fields.

Note: Three main categories of pesticides are:-
Insecticides:- These are used to control insects and curb diseases and protect crops.
Herbicide:- It is part of pesticides, these are used to kill weeds.
Fungicides:- These are used to check the growth of fungi. Example- methyl mercury.