Which management strategy would help break the environmental component of the disease triangle?

Choosing to alter planting dates and remove alternative hosts directly targets the environmental aspect of the disease triangle, which consists of three components: the pathogen, the host, and the environment. By adjusting planting dates, you can avoid key periods when specific pathogens thrive due to favorable environmental conditions. This strategic timing can disrupt pathogen life cycles and reduce incidence of disease.

Additionally, removing alternative hosts diminishes the chances of pathogens overwintering or proliferating nearby, further reducing environmental chances for disease development. This approach effectively disrupts the conducive conditions necessary for the pathogen to thrive, making it an effective management strategy for breaking the environmental cycle of the disease triangle.

In contrast, modifying irrigation schedules can help manage water stress but may not directly address pathogen cycles tied to environmental conditions. Implementing host-plant resistance focuses on the plant health aspect rather than the environmental conditions conducive to disease. Increasing pesticide usage targets the pathogen but does not address the environmental factors that allow disease to flourish, and might even lead to resistance issues over time.