Oklahoma Service Technician Practice Exam

What is the effect of using host resistance in pest management?

1. It involves increasing pesticide frequency

2. It reduces vulnerability to pest attacks

3. It encourages more pests to infest crops

4. It decreases crop yields significantly

The correct answer is: It reduces vulnerability to pest attacks

Using host resistance in pest management is an effective strategy that focuses on the natural resilience of certain plant varieties to resist or withstand pest attacks. When host resistance is implemented, it essentially means that the plants have been bred or selected for their ability to fend off specific pests, which can lead to a significant reduction in vulnerability to these pests. This approach does not rely heavily on chemical pesticides, which can often have environmental impacts and result in pest resistance. Instead, by using naturally resistant plant varieties, farmers can proactively combat pest issues, promoting healthier crops with lower loss due to infestation. Host resistance contributes to sustainable agricultural practices by potentially reducing the need for chemical interventions and thereby minimizing the risk of pest populations developing resistance to those chemicals over time. This method ultimately supports both crop health and yield stability, emphasizing the importance of incorporating biological strategies in integrated pest management systems.