FACT SHEET

Crop Rotation - growing different crops in the same field in a planned sequence to improve soil, reduce pests, and prevent nutrient depletion.

Composting-breaking down organic materials such as food scraps, leaves, wood, manure into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Cover Cropping - planting certain certain crops between main crops to protect soil, add nutrients, and reduce weeds.

Biological Pest Control - utilizing natural predators like ladybugs, birds, or beneficial bacteria can reduce the need for pest control.

Drip Irrigation - Watering plants slowly and directly to the roots through tubes or pipes with smaller drainage.

Rain Water - Water collected from rainfall.

Crop Diversity - growing a mix of crops to improve resilience and reduce pest pressure.

Mulching - Covering soil with materials like wood chips, straw, leaves, or plastic, to retain moisture, suppress weed, and protect the soil.

Trap Cropping - planting a crop that attracts pests away

No - Till - avoiding plowing or tilling the soil, reduces erosion, protects soil organic matter, and retains moisture.

(C) UK Entomology

Thank you, Katherine Kamminga, Entomologist and Kasia Bradley, Research and Extension Associate Forestry and Natural Resources for your support on preparing this fact sheet.

Jacob Brown, M.S., Research Associate, Soil Jacob.brown1@kysu.edu

Katherine Kamminga, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Entomologist, katherine.kamminga@kysu.edu

Suraj Upadhaya, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sustainable Systems, suraj.upadhaya@kysu.edu

Linelle Rivera Rodriguez, M.S., Extension Associate Organic Agriculture, linelle.rivera@kysu.edu