Illinois Field Crop Applicators Practice Test

What type of management strategy would include early cutting of crops?

1. Chemical

2. Biological

3. Cultural

4. Mechanical

The correct answer is: Cultural

The correct answer is cultural management strategy. This approach encompasses practices that alter the environment or crops to manage pests, diseases, and weeds effectively. Early cutting of crops, for instance, can help prevent weeds from maturing and producing seeds, decrease disease pressure by reducing the time crops are exposed to pathogens, and improve the overall health and yield of the primary crops. Cultural practices are foundational in integrated pest management as they are preventive in nature. They focus on manipulating planting schedules, crop rotation, and harvesting methods to create a less favorable environment for pests and diseases. Early cutting, in particular, serves to mitigate potential infestations by disrupting the life cycles of problem organisms. The other strategies—chemical, biological, and mechanical—have different focuses. Chemical strategies typically involve the application of pesticides or herbicides, while biological strategies use natural predators or pathogens to control pests. Mechanical strategies involve physical methods such as tilling or mowing. Each has its role, but the specific practice of early cutting aligns most closely with cultural management.