What is likely to happen if herbicides are applied without proper monitoring?

Applying herbicides without proper monitoring can lead to higher chances of crop damage and the development of resistance in plant species. When herbicides are used indiscriminately or at improper rates, they may not only harm the target weeds but can also negatively affect non-target plants, including crops. This unintended damage can compromise crop health, yield, and overall farm productivity.

Additionally, improper monitoring can contribute to the evolution of weed populations that become resistant to the herbicides. Weeds that are not effectively controlled may survive and reproduce, passing on their resistance traits to future generations. This creates a cycle where increasingly potent herbicides must be utilized to achieve the same level of control, further escalating the problem of resistance.

The other options present scenarios that are unlikely to result from unmonitored herbicide application. Enhanced plant growth, improved soil conditions, and decreased pest populations do not typically occur in the context of improper herbicide management and may even be adversely impacted. Therefore, proper monitoring is essential to maintain effective herbicide application strategies and protect both crop integrity and overall ecological balance.