Which of the following is NOT a cultural management technique for fungal diseases?

Cultural management techniques for fungal diseases focus on practices that promote plant health and reduce the prevalence of diseases in an ecosystem. The correct answer, which identifies a practice that does not belong to this category, is preventative bactericide applications.

Cultural management techniques include several practices: removing and destroying diseased plant parts is essential for preventing the spread of pathogens, as this helps eliminate the sources of infection. Using disease-resistant cultivars is another crucial cultural practice, as choosing varieties that can withstand fungal infections helps mitigate disease impact. Proper irrigation is also fundamental; maintaining appropriate moisture levels prevents conditions that favor fungal growth.

On the other hand, preventative bactericide applications fall under chemical control methods rather than cultural management. This practice involves using chemicals to directly kill or suppress pathogens, which differs fundamentally from cultural management techniques that focus on altering the environment or practices to reduce disease incidence.