What is the purpose of pesticides?

• A. To prevent, repel, change, modify, or kill a pest.
• B. To improve soil fertility.
• C. To promote plant growth directly.
• D. To add color to seeds.

Answer: (A)

Pesticides are products designed to manage pests that threaten crops, health, or property. Their purpose is to prevent, repel, change, modify, or kill a pest, or otherwise lessen the pest’s impact. This broad aim covers keeping pests away, reducing their numbers, altering their behavior to reduce damage, or eliminating them if they are present. The other options describe functions not related to pest management—improving soil fertility, directly promoting plant growth, or adding color to seeds—so they don’t fit the purpose of pesticides.