Which of the following is an example of mechanical control methods?

Mechanical control methods refer to the physical techniques used to manage pests, weeds, or diseases in agriculture and horticulture. Cultivating involves physically manipulating the soil or plant material to disrupt the habitat of pests, uproot weeds, or adjust soil conditions to favor crop growth. This method typically includes practices like tilling, hoeing, and hand-pulling weeds.

Using pesticides and applying herbicides involve chemical control methods aimed at reducing pest populations or controlling unwanted plants. While releasing natural predators is a form of biological control that utilizes organisms to target pests, thereby promoting ecological balance, it does not fall under mechanical control.

Thus, cultivating stands out as the correct example of mechanical control methods, as it entails direct physical intervention to manage pests and weeds without the use of chemicals or biological agents.