What does potency refer to in terms of pesticides?

Potency in the context of pesticides refers to the toxicity level of a pesticide. This means it measures how effective a pesticide is in achieving its intended effect at a certain concentration. A more potent pesticide requires a lower concentration to be effective in controlling pests or diseases. This can be crucial for understanding appropriate application rates, safety measures, and environmental impact, as higher toxicity levels can pose greater risks to non-target organisms, including humans, pets, and wildlife. Therefore, when discussing potency, the focus is primarily on the pesticide’s capacity to cause harm or effect change, directly correlating to its toxicity in practical applications.