What would be considered a preventive pest management strategy?

Using weed- and disease-free seed is indeed a preventive pest management strategy because it helps reduce the likelihood of introducing pests and diseases into the growing environment from the very beginning. By starting with clean seeds, growers can help ensure that the plants are healthier and have a better chance of thriving without succumbing to pest pressures. This proactive approach minimizes the need for interventions later, such as pesticide applications, because the risk of the crops encountering harmful pests or pathogens is significantly reduced from the outset.

Regularly applying pesticides, on the other hand, is more of a reactive approach and does not prevent pest problems but rather addresses them after they occur. Planting in the same location yearly can lead to the buildup of specific pests and disease issues in the soil, as they may find a suitable environment to thrive. Ignoring pest populations is the least effective strategy and often results in increased damage over time, as it allows pests to proliferate unchecked. Thus, utilizing weed- and disease-free seed represents a foundational practice in integrated pest management that emphasizes prevention.