Beat the Blight Quiz Quiz

Explore effective methods and foundational knowledge of managing fungal diseases in tomato crops for healthier harvests. This quiz covers diverse controls, identification, and best practices crucial for tomato horticulture.

1. Identify Early Blight Management Strategies

   Which cultural practice most effectively reduces the risk of early blight (Alternaria solani) in tomato plants?

   1. Watering in the evening
   2. Rotating crops with non-solanaceous species
   3. Planting tomatoes closer together
   4. Spraying plants with sugar water

   Explanation: Rotating crops helps break the disease cycle by limiting the buildup of fungal spores in the soil. Spraying with sugar water has no effect on fungal pathogens. Planting tomatoes close together increases humidity and disease spread. Watering in the evening encourages leaf wetness overnight, favoring fungal infection.

2. Fungicide Application Timing

   When should preventative fungicides be applied to tomatoes for effective fungal disease control?

   1. Once at planting and never again
   2. Before signs of disease, following weather forecasts
   3. Only after visible fungal symptoms appear
   4. Any time of day, regardless of weather

   Explanation: Applying fungicides preventatively and adjusting timing based on weather helps minimize infection risk. Waiting for symptoms allows disease establishment. Single applications at planting are insufficient. Weather conditions, such as humidity and rain, affect application success, so timing matters.

3. Recognizing Late Blight Symptoms

   Which symptom is most characteristic of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in tomato crops?

   1. Powdery white coating on stems
   2. Small, circular leaf spots with tan centers
   3. Yellow speckling on older leaves
   4. Dark, water-soaked lesions on leaves with white mold edges

   Explanation: Late blight typically appears as dark, water-soaked spots with a white fuzzy growth at edges during humid weather. Yellow speckling suggests nutrient issues or mosaic virus. Powdery white coating indicates powdery mildew. Circular spots with tan centers are typical of early blight, not late blight.

4. Selecting Resistant Varieties

   Why is using disease-resistant tomato varieties recommended as part of fungal control?

   1. They grow faster than susceptible varieties
   2. They require no watering
   3. They reduce plant susceptibility to specific diseases
   4. They are less attractive to insects

   Explanation: Resistant varieties are bred to withstand or limit infection by certain fungal pathogens, lowering disease pressure. Faster growth is not directly related to disease resistance. Watering needs do not change due to resistance. Insect attraction is managed separately from fungal resistance.

5. Sanitation in Tomato Production

   Which sanitation measure best prevents the spread of fungal pathogens in tomato greenhouses?

   1. Applying fertilizer to affected areas
   2. Removing and destroying infected plant debris
   3. Leaving fallen leaves on the ground
   4. Reusing old potting soil each year

   Explanation: Quickly removing infected material reduces sources of fungal spores and decreases disease spread. Reusing old soil and leaving debris provide habitats for fungi to survive. Fertilizer does not control or prevent fungal infections.