Adaptation of soil microorganisms for rapid degradation of soil-applied pesticides can occur as a result of the complex interactions between the soil, the pesticide, the microbes, and environmental conditions. The current research addresses the role of breakdown products from the pesticide in the development of the condition. Several factors that influence enhanced microbial degradation include: nutrient value of the metabolite molecule, toxicity of the metabolite to soil microorganisms, and the availability of the metabolite to soil microbes. Comparisons of several pesticides, and their respective degradation products provide insight into the question of why soil microbial populations can develop rapid degradation capabilities for some pesticides but not others.