English Language · English

Select the most appropriate word to fill in the blank marked 'X' in the passage below: 'X, farmers have used a variety of methods to protect their crops from pests and diseases. They have put herb-based poisons on crops, handpicked insects off plants, bred strong varieties of crops, and rotated crops to control insects. Now, almost al l farmers, especially in developed countries, rely on chemicals to control p ests.'