Washington Pesticide Laws and Safety Practice Test

What do generic control methods primarily focus on?

1. Use of toxic chemicals

2. Introduction of natural predators

3. Genetic manipulation of plants

4. Physical removal of pests

The correct answer is: Genetic manipulation of plants

Generic control methods primarily focus on genetic manipulation of plants because they involve the use of plants that have been genetically modified to resist or repel pests. This is different from using toxic chemicals (A) because it does not involve the use of harmful substances that can be dangerous to the environment and human health. Similarly, introducing natural predators (B) is not the main focus of generic control methods, as this involves the introduction of other organisms into the environment which can have unintended consequences. Physical removal of pests (D) may be a temporary solution, but it does not address the root cause of the problem, which is the susceptibility of plants to pests. Therefore, genetic manipulation of plants is the most effective and sustainable approach in controlling pests.