Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding biopesticides?

1. They are not hazardous to human health.

2. They are persistent in environment.

3. They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The correct answer is 1 only.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

Biopesticides are types of pesticides derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. Let us evaluate each statement individually to determine its correctness:

1. Statement 1: "They are not hazardous to human health."
This statement is correct. Unlike conventional synthetic chemical pesticides, biopesticides are naturally occurring, inherently less toxic, and target specific pests. As a result, they do not leave harmful chemical residues and are generally non-hazardous to human health and non-target organisms.

2. Statement 2: "They are persistent in environment."
This statement is incorrect. Biopesticides biodegrade quickly and easily in nature, decompose rapidly under environmental factors like sunlight and microbial activity, and do not persist or accumulate in soil or water bodies, thereby reducing pollution levels.

3. Statement 3: "They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem."
This statement is incorrect. While biopesticides help preserve biodiversity by selectively targeting specific pests without damaging beneficial organisms (unlike broad-spectrum chemical pesticides), calling them "essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem" is an extreme overstatement. Ecosystems maintain biodiversity through natural biological processes and ecological relationships, not by relying on pesticide applications.

Thus, only statement 1 is correct.