Agronomy Degree Practice Exam

Which pest management method utilizes physical means such as tillage and traps to manage pest populations?

1. Biological pest management

2. Cultural pest management

3. Chemical pest management

4. Mechanical pest management

The correct answer is: Mechanical pest management

The method that utilizes physical means such as tillage and traps to manage pest populations is mechanical pest management. This approach focuses on directly disrupting pest life cycles or removing pests from the environment. Tillage can help control pests by disturbing their habitat and life cycle, while traps physically capture pests, reducing their numbers. In contrast, biological pest management involves using natural predators or parasites to control pest populations, which does not rely on physical tools or disruptions. Cultural pest management refers to practices such as crop rotation and planting schedules aimed at making the environment less hospitable to pests, rather than employing direct physical intervention. Chemical pest management, on the other hand, includes the use of pesticides and similar substances, which is fundamentally different from the physical methods characterizing mechanical pest management.