CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

What is one effective cultural management strategy for the European corn borer?

1. Intercropping

2. Frequent Watering

3. Using High-Nitrogen Fertilizers

4. Late Planting

The correct answer is: Intercropping

Intercropping is an effective cultural management strategy for controlling the European corn borer, as it disrupts the pest's lifecycle and feeding habits. By growing two or more different crops in proximity, intercropping can create a more complex habitat that can confuse or deter the corn borer from locating its preferred host plants, such as corn. This diversifies the microenvironment and can also attract natural enemies of the corn borer, enhancing biological control. In contrast, the other options may not provide the same level of pest management effectiveness. Frequent watering could promote plant health but does not specifically address the control of the European corn borer. High-nitrogen fertilizers might enhance plant vigor but can also encourage rapid growth of corn that could inadvertently make it more susceptible to the pest. Late planting, while sometimes used to avoid peak pest periods, may not be reliably effective as an independent strategy against the corn borer.