Which of the following is a potential consequence of improper pesticide use?

The consequence of enhanced pest resistance is a significant concern in pesticide use. When pesticides are applied improperly, such as in excessive amounts or with inappropriate timing, pests can develop resistance to these chemicals over time. This occurs because the strongest individuals in the pest population—the ones that may have had some level of resistance—survive the pesticide application and reproduce, passing their resistant traits to their offspring. Over time, this can lead to a situation where routine pesticide applications become less effective, requiring stronger and potentially more harmful chemicals or increasing the frequency of applications to manage pest populations, which can create a cycle of dependency and escalating resistance issues.

In contrast, the other choices do not represent typical consequences of improper pesticide use. Improper application is more likely to harm beneficial insect populations rather than increase them, can lead to degradation of air quality through the release of volatile organic compounds or aerosolized particles, and does not positively affect soil erosion but may exacerbate it by harming soil structure and beneficial organisms that contribute to soil health.