True or false: Prevention, suppression, and eradication represent varying degrees of plant disease control.

The correct answer is true because prevention, suppression, and eradication are fundamental strategies used in managing plant diseases, each with its distinct goals and methods.

Prevention focuses on avoiding the occurrence of diseases altogether through practices such as selecting resistant varieties, practicing good sanitation, and using proper cultural practices that promote healthy plant growth and minimize stress. This is often the most effective method, as it addresses the root causes and helps maintain plant health.

Suppression aims to reduce the impact of a disease once it has been identified or established. This can involve various methods such as cultural practices, chemical treatments, and the use of biological control agents to manage the disease's severity and spread without necessarily eliminating it.

Eradication is an approach employed to completely eliminate the pathogen responsible for the disease from a given area. This is often the most challenging and resource-intensive method, as it may require the destruction of infected plants, stringent sanitation measures, and rigorous testing to ensure the pathogen is no longer present.

Understanding these three strategies is crucial for effective plant disease management, as they provide a framework for how to approach the various challenges posed by plant diseases and guide decision-making in agricultural practices.