Which of the following practices falls under cultural control for pest management?

Cultural control refers to practices that manage the environment to deter pests through cultivation and management techniques. Mowing and irrigation are prime examples because they can influence plant health and growth conditions, impacting pest populations.

For instance, regular mowing can reduce the habitat for certain pests and minimize their ability to thrive, while proper irrigation can prevent conditions that might favor pest development, such as excessive moisture that supports fungal growth. These practices are tailored to enhance crop health and make the environment less conducive to pest infestations.

In contrast, using pesticides is an example of chemical control, releasing natural predators falls under biological control, and setting traps is considered a mechanical control strategy. Each of these methods serves a different role in integrated pest management but does not represent the underlying principles of cultural control like mowing and irrigation do.