Which practice is an example of cultural control?

• A. Using insect traps
• B. Regular irrigation and mowing
• C. Applying chemical pesticides
• D. Using physical barriers

Answer: (B)

Cultural control practices focus on managing environmental conditions and agricultural practices to reduce pest populations and promote healthy crops. Regular irrigation and mowing fall into this category because they help maintain the overall health of plants and can deter pests by creating less favorable conditions for their development and reproduction. For instance, consistent mowing can prevent weed growth, which could serve as a habitat or food source for pests.

On the other hand, using insect traps or physical barriers, while effective pest management strategies, fall under different categories such as mechanical controls. Applying chemical pesticides clearly represents a chemical control method, which involves the direct application of substances to eliminate or reduce pest populations. Therefore, regular irrigation and mowing exemplify the essence of cultural control by enhancing plant health and disrupting pest life cycles through practices rooted in the overall management of the growing environment.