Why is crop rotation considered in integrated pest management?

• A. Rotating crops disrupts pest life cycles and reduces buildup of pests that target a specific crop.
• B. Crop rotation increases pests.
• C. Rotation has no effect on pests.
• D. Rotation only improves soil texture.

Answer: (B)

Crop rotation is a key cultural practice in integrated pest management because it disrupts pest lifecycles and reduces buildup of pests that target a specific crop. Many pests and diseases are closely tied to a single host; planting the same crop year after year lets those pests survive, reproduce, and increase in numbers. By switching to a different crop for a season, the pests lose their food source and have lower survival, which lowers their population when the original crop is planted again. This approach also helps diminish soil-borne pathogens that persist in crop residues, reducing the need for chemical controls and supporting longer-term pest management. It goes beyond just affecting soil texture and does not promote higher pest populations.