Explore key knowledge about wheat crop health, disease management, and crop protection strategies vital to agriculture. Challenge yourself on recognition, prevention, and treatment of major wheat issues.
A farmer notices small yellow-orange pustules appearing in streaks on wheat leaves. Which disease is most likely affecting their crop?
Explanation: Yellow rust causes yellow-orange streaks on wheat leaves, distinguishing it from powdery mildew (white powdery patches), leaf blight (brown necrotic spots), and bacterial wilt (wilting without rust colored pustules). Recognizing rust is important for timely intervention and crop health.
During which climatic conditions does the risk of wheat stem rust typically increase most?
Explanation: Stem rust develops rapidly in warm, humid environments. Cool, dry or hot, arid conditions are less favorable for fungal growth, while cold, wet weather may support other diseases but is not optimal for stem rust outbreaks.
What deficiency in wheat plants commonly leads to yellowing of older leaves while veins remain green?
Explanation: Nitrogen deficiency causes chlorosis (yellowing) in older leaves with green veins. Zinc toxicity and phosphorus toxicity are less common and rarely present this way; excessive potassium does not typically result in this pattern of symptoms.
Which agricultural practice most effectively reduces the risk of wheat leaf blight spread between seasons?
Explanation: Crop rotation helps break disease cycles by reducing pathogen survival in the field. Over-irrigation can worsen disease, while increasing seed rate and sugar solution sprays do not effectively prevent blight transmission.
If armyworms are damaging a wheat field, which is the most appropriate immediate control measure?
Explanation: Applying a recommended insecticide directly targets armyworms. Increasing fertilizer, reducing sunlight, or using copper fungicide are ineffective against insect pests and do not address the immediate problem.