One environmental benefit commonly associated with GMO crops is:

• A. They reduce tillage and pesticide use
• B. They require more tillage
• C. They increase broad-spectrum herbicide use
• D. They reduce crop yields

Answer: (A)

GM crops engineered for pest resistance or herbicide tolerance can lower environmental impact by cutting chemical inputs and soil disturbance. When crops express Bt toxin, they deter or kill specific insect pests, reducing the need for insecticides. Herbicide-tolerant varieties let farmers control weeds with herbicides after planting, which makes no-till or reduced-till farming feasible. No-till systems minimize soil erosion, improve water retention, and reduce fuel use from fewer field passes. So, a common environmental benefit is less tillage and lower pesticide use overall. The other scenarios describe increases in tillage, herbicide use, or reduced yields, which do not reflect these environmental benefits.