What is one common disease control practice in nurseries?

Crop rotation is a widely recognized and effective disease control practice in nurseries. This method involves alternating the types of crops grown in a particular area from one season to the next. The primary benefit of this practice is that it disrupts the life cycles of detrimental pests and pathogens that may be present in the soil. For example, certain diseases may thrive on specific plants; by changing the plant type, you reduce the chance that these pathogens will survive and reproduce.

In addition to breaking pest and disease cycles, crop rotation can also improve soil health by enhancing nutrient availability and structure. By planting different species, nurseries can foster a more diverse microbial community in the soil, which in return helps suppress diseases and promotes healthier plants.

While consistent watering, using synthetic fertilizers, and planting thicker rows all play important roles in nursery management, they are not specifically focused on disease control like crop rotation. Proper watering and fertilization do contribute to plant health but do not directly address the diseases present in the soil. Thicker row planting may aid in shade or other growth aspects but does not impact disease dynamics in the same way that crop rotation does.