Which of the following is NOT a benefit of soil fumigation?

Soil fumigation is primarily aimed at managing soil-borne pests, pathogens, and weeds. The benefits include rapid pest elimination, which allows for quicker crop planting and reduced competition for resources. Additionally, it can effectively control certain non-target organisms such as pests that are harmful to crops.

However, when considering the option concerning reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, it's important to note that fumigation is, in fact, a chemical process involving the use of specific fumigants. While soil fumigation can indeed target specific pests and reduce populations, it does not typically diminish the overall reliance on chemical methods for pest control. Instead, it may reinforce the use of chemicals, as growers may continue to use other pesticides in tandem with fumigation strategies to achieve comprehensive pest management. Hence, reduced reliance on chemical pesticides is not a recognized benefit of soil fumigation.