ABSTRACT
The introduction of the moldboard plow in the 1830s ushered in a new era in which deep plowing with complete burial of surface organic matter became the “agronomically correct” way to farm. This chapter reviews the effects of agronomic practices on plant disease. It then focuses on the impact of agronomic practices on diseases caused by soil-borne fungal pathogens. Agronomic practices such as type and length of rotation, tillage and residue management, application of fertilizer, planting date and depth, cultivar selection, frequency of irrigation, and use of pesticides all have the potential to impact crop quality and yield. The impact of a particular agronomic practice on disease incidence and severity can result from a direct effect on the pathogen, such as providing an increased food base or physically placing the pathogen nearer an infection court. For years, traditional wisdom dictated the necessity of crop rotation.
