What is a mitigation strategy for crop diseases?

• A. Monocropping with same cultivar
• B. Crop rotation, resistant varieties, timely fungicide applications when appropriate
• C. Using constant irrigation
• D. Avoiding crop rotation

Answer: (B)

Managing crop diseases effectively relies on an integrated approach that reduces disease pressure by combining cultural practices, resistant genetics, and targeted chemical controls. The best answer uses crop rotation to break pathogen life cycles and lower soil-borne inoculum, planting resistant varieties to limit infection, and applying fungicides only when necessary and timely to protect the crop while delaying resistance development. This integrated strategy is more robust than any single method. Monocropping with the same cultivar keeps susceptible hosts continuous, increasing disease buildup; constant irrigation creates moist conditions favorable to many diseases; avoiding crop rotation removes a major disease suppression tactic.