Which of the following is a cultural control method for managing pests in ornamental plants?

Cultural control methods are strategies that modify the environment to make it less conducive to pests and diseases, focusing on practices that enhance plant health and resilience. Crop rotation, proper spacing, and sanitation fall under this category because they involve adjustments in plant management and care that can directly affect pest populations.

For example, crop rotation can disrupt the life cycles of pests that have adapted to specific crops, thus reducing their numbers. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation and sunlight exposure, which can prevent conditions favorable for pest outbreaks and diseases. Sanitation practices, such as removing debris and plant residues, help eliminate potential pest habitats and breeding grounds. Together, these practices create a healthier environment for ornamental plants, thereby managing pest infestations more effectively.

In contrast, chemical treatments rely on pesticides to target pests directly, regular insecticide applications can lead to resistance issues, and biological control methods introduce natural predators to manage pest populations. While all these strategies can be effective in integrated pest management, they do not fall under the category of cultural control.