What does the term 'genetic control' refer to in pest management?

The term 'genetic control' in pest management specifically refers to breeding plants for pest resistance. This approach focuses on utilizing the natural genetic variation in plants to develop cultivars that can withstand pest pressures, thereby reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides. By selecting and breeding plants that exhibit traits such as tolerance or resistance to specific pests, agricultural practices can enhance crop yields and overall resilience of the plants in pest-infested environments. This method is considered an environmentally friendly and sustainable strategy for managing pests, as it reduces chemical use and can contribute to ecological balance.

In contrast, the other concepts relate to different pest management strategies. The use of chemicals to eliminate pests falls under chemical control. Employing mechanical traps is a physical method of managing pests, and adjusting environmental conditions is part of cultural control practices. Each of these methods plays a role in integrated pest management, but only genetic control focuses specifically on the breeding aspect to enhance resistance against pests.