Which of the following is NOT a host-management practice for disease prevention?

• A. Planting an appropriate cultivar for the site
• B. Planting a mix of varieties
• C. Keeping mower blades sharp
• D. Aerating the soil

Answer: (D)

Focusing on host-related disease prevention means shaping the plant and its stand to reduce disease risk. Choosing an appropriate cultivar for the site helps because a well-suited cultivar may have resistance or better tolerance to common diseases found there. Planting a mix of varieties increases genetic diversity, which slows the spread of disease if one variety is affected. Keeping mower blades sharp reduces tissue damage and wounding, which are entry points for pathogens, so healthier host tissue is less vulnerable. Aerating the soil, while beneficial for soil structure, drainage, and root health, changes the environment rather than the host itself, so it isn’t a host-management practice. Therefore, the action that is NOT a host-management practice is aerating the soil.