Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicators CORE Exam

Which cultural practice involves managing pest populations through timing adjustments?

1. Pruning

2. Varying the time of planting or harvest

3. Trap cropping

4. Sanitation

The correct answer is: Varying the time of planting or harvest

The practice of varying the time of planting or harvest directly impacts pest management by disrupting the life cycles of pests. By making strategic adjustments to when crops are planted or harvested, growers can avoid aligning their crops with peak pest populations. This can minimize pest pressure and reduce the need for chemical interventions. For instance, if a pest is particularly damaging at a certain growth stage of the crop, delaying planting until after the pest's active season can lead to less damage and an overall healthier crop yield. The other options, while they contribute to pest control, do not specifically focus on the timing of agricultural activities as a primary strategy for managing pest populations. Pruning is typically aimed at removing damaged or diseased parts of plants but does not inherently involve adjusting planting times. Trap cropping focuses on planting certain crops to attract pests away from the main crop rather than altering planting or harvesting times. Sanitation involves removing debris and other potential pest habitats but is not related to the timing aspect central to managing pest populations through planting and harvesting strategies.