Pesticide Degradation

Pesticide degradation is the breaking down of toxic pesticides into a nontoxic compounds and, in some cases, down to the original elements from which they were derived. The most common type of degradation is carried out in the soil by microorganisms, especially the fungi and bacteria. Pesticides which are rapidly degraded are called nonpersistent while those which resist degradation are termed persistent. The degradation of methyl-bromide and dalapon along with the degradation and resynthesis of chloroneb is explained. The advantages and disadvantages of persistent pesticides are discussed.