Which cultural practice helps reduce disease by preventing leaf wetness?

• A. Avoid moisture stress
• B. Do not prolong leaf wetness
• C. Manage pH and fertility
• D. Adjust mowing practices

Answer: (B)

Shortening the time leaves stay wet is a powerful way to cut disease risk, because many leaf pathogens need a film of free water to germinate and infect. The best practice here is to avoid prolonging leaf wetness, which directly reduces the window when pathogens can take hold. In the field, you can apply water in the morning so leaves dry during the day, improve drainage to prevent pooling, and choose irrigation methods that minimize leaf moisture.

The other options touch on related plant health factors, but they don’t directly target how long leaf surfaces remain wet. While keeping plants from moisture stress, managing pH and fertility, or adjusting mowing can influence disease in some ways, they don’t address the key factor of leaf wetness duration as clearly as not prolonging leaf wetness.