Breeding or selecting plants and animals with characteristics for resistance to pests is an example of what type of pest management method?

Breeding or selecting plants and animals with characteristics for resistance to pests is an excellent example of genetic control. This method focuses on utilizing the natural variations within species to develop and propagate individuals that can withstand pest pressures better than their non-resistant counterparts. By incorporating traits such as pest resistance into the genetic makeup of crops or livestock, this approach reduces reliance on chemical treatments and supports sustainable agricultural practices.

Genetic control helps to minimize the impact of pests while enhancing the overall resilience of the plants and animals, allowing them to thrive in environments where pest pressures are prevalent. It emphasizes the idea of using biological principles to manage pests, by harnessing the inherent genetic diversity within populations.

Other management approaches, such as cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls, operate on different principles. Cultural control focuses on practices like crop rotation and changes in farming techniques to reduce pest prevalence. Mechanical control involves physical methods to remove or exclude pests, while chemical control pertains to the use of pesticides to eliminate pests directly. Each of these methods addresses pest management from distinct angles, but genetic control specifically targets the organism's genetic makeup to develop enduring resistance to pests.