Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

Which method of pest management involves using one organism to control another organism's population?

1. Biological pest management

2. Cultural pest management

3. Chemical pest management

4. Mechanical pest management

The correct answer is: Biological pest management

The method of pest management that involves using one organism to control another organism's population is known as biological pest management. This approach utilizes natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to reduce pest populations in an ecosystem. For example, introducing ladybugs to control aphid populations or using nematodes to combat root-feeding larvae are common practices in biological pest management. This strategy emphasizes maintaining ecological balance and sustainability by harnessing the natural mechanisms of control that exist in nature. It minimizes reliance on synthetic chemicals, which can have adverse environmental effects, making biological pest management a more eco-friendly approach to pest control. Other methods, such as cultural pest management, focus on agricultural practices that can deter pests, chemical pest management relies on synthetic pesticides, and mechanical pest management involves physical barriers or traps to reduce pest populations. Each of these approaches serves different purposes but does not employ the use of one organism to directly control another's population in the way that biological pest management does.