Battling Brinjal Root Fungus Quiz Quiz

Challenge your understanding of common root fungal diseases in brinjal and their effective management strategies in horticulture. Learn to recognize, prevent, and control these threats to healthy eggplant crops.

1. Symptoms of Fusarium wilt in brinjal

   Which sign indicates the presence of Fusarium wilt in brinjal plants, especially during the early stages of infection?

   1. Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves
   2. Curling of upper leaves
   3. White powdery patches on leaves
   4. Black spots on fruits

   Explanation: Yellowing and wilting of lower leaves are typical early symptoms of Fusarium wilt in brinjal as the fungus blocks water movement. Black spots mainly indicate fruit rot, not root fungus. White powdery patches are associated with powdery mildew, and curling of upper leaves often points to viral issues rather than fungal root diseases.

2. Survival and spread of Sclerotium rolfsii

   How does Sclerotium rolfsii, the causal agent of brinjal root rot, primarily survive and spread in the soil?

   1. Via seed transmission
   2. By water splash only
   3. Through sclerotia formation
   4. By producing conidia airborne spores

   Explanation: Sclerotium rolfsii survives in soil by forming hardy sclerotia, which can persist for years. It does not commonly produce airborne conidia like some fungi, seed transmission is rare, and while water splash can disperse sclerotia, survival is due to the sclerotia themselves.

3. Effective cultural practice for root fungal disease management

   What is a recommended cultural practice for reducing the risk of root fungal diseases such as Fusarium and Sclerotium in brinjal fields?

   1. Planting in densely packed rows
   2. Crop rotation with non-solanaceous crops
   3. Overhead irrigation at night
   4. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer application

   Explanation: Crop rotation with non-solanaceous crops breaks the disease cycle of soil-borne root fungi. Increasing nitrogen can enhance vegetative growth but does not target these pathogens. Overhead irrigation at night raises humidity and risks disease, and dense planting limits air flow and increases susceptibility.

4. Biological method for brinjal root fungus management

   Which biological agent is often recommended for managing soil-borne root fungal diseases in brinjal without synthetic chemicals?

   1. Neem oil spray
   2. Trichoderma harzianum
   3. Bacillus thuringiensis
   4. Pyrethrum extract

   Explanation: Trichoderma harzianum is a beneficial fungus that acts antagonistically against soil-borne plant pathogens. Pyrethrum and neem oil target primarily insect pests, while Bacillus thuringiensis is used for controlling caterpillars, not fungal diseases.

5. Soil amendment for suppressing root fungal pathogens

   Which soil amendment is commonly used to suppress populations of root fungal pathogens in brinjal cultivation fields?

   1. Lime sulfur application
   2. Floating row covers
   3. Farmyard manure with well-decomposed compost
   4. Fresh grass clippings

   Explanation: Adding well-decomposed compost and farmyard manure promotes microbial diversity, which can suppress harmful root fungi. Fresh grass clippings may attract pests, lime sulfur is not typically used for soil pathogens, and floating row covers help with insect exclusion, not soil-borne fungi.