Which of the following is considered a preventative pest management strategy?

Planting weed and disease-free seeds is a preventative pest management strategy because it proactively addresses potential issues before they arise. This approach helps to establish a healthy foundation for plants, minimizing the risk of pests and diseases taking hold in the first place. By starting with uncontaminated seeds, growers can reduce the likelihood of introducing pests and pathogens into their gardens or fields.

Preventative strategies focus on creating conditions that are unfavorable for pests to thrive and establishing a robust ecosystem. It emphasizes long-term health and sustainability rather than reactive measures taken after problems occur. In contrast, the use of chemical pesticides liberally focuses on treatment rather than prevention, and only treating after seeing pests reacts to an existing issue rather than preventing it. Regularly applying fertilizers, while beneficial for plant health, does not directly target pest prevention and could inadvertently attract pests if not managed properly.