Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What is the most important maintenance step for avoiding disease and pest infestation?

1. Identification

2. Sanitation

3. Applications of pesticides

4. Aeration of the soil

The correct answer is: Sanitation

Sanitation is recognized as the most important maintenance step for avoiding disease and pest infestation in horticultural practices. This practice involves the removal of debris, dead plant material, and any other potential harboring sites for pests and pathogens. By keeping the growing environment clean, you can significantly reduce the chances of diseases and pests establishing themselves. Implementing sanitation measures includes actions such as cleaning tools, properly disposing of infected plant materials, and ensuring that garden areas remain tidy and free of leftover debris that could provide shelter or breeding grounds for unwanted organisms. This proactive approach helps to create an inhospitable environment for pests and diseases, ultimately promoting healthier plants. Other maintenance practices, while important, do not directly prevent infestations in the same way. For instance, identification is essential for recognizing issues, but it is a reactive step rather than a preventative measure. Applications of pesticides are often used after a problem has been identified, rather than addressing the root causes. Aeration of the soil improves root health and drainage but does not directly address pest and disease prevention like sanitation does.