Explore key principles of crop protection in agriculture, including pest management, disease prevention, and responsible chemical use. Ideal for learners seeking practical knowledge on safeguarding crops for better yields.
Which approach describes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in controlling pests on crops such as wheat?
Explanation: IPM emphasizes combining biological, cultural, and chemical controls to minimize pest populations sustainably. Sole reliance on pesticides can lead to resistance and environmental harm. Handpicking alone is rarely practical for large fields, and while fertilizers promote plant health, they do not manage pests.
A rice farmer observes yellowing leaves and stunted growth; which is the most likely agent responsible for these symptoms?
Explanation: Yellowing leaves and stunted growth in crops like rice frequently suggest a fungal pathogen. Overgrazing would show physical damage, excessive sunlight rarely leads to stunting, and soil compaction mostly affects root development but not yellowing as a primary symptom.
What practice helps reduce risks when spraying insecticides on vegetable crops?
Explanation: Personal protection and adhering to instructions minimize health and environmental risks. Spraying in wind leads to drift, ignoring waiting periods can cause unsafe residues, and high dosages increase toxicity without added benefit.
Which example best illustrates a physical method to protect tomato crops from insects?
Explanation: Row covers physically block insect access and are a classic physical approach. Crop rotation and neem oil are cultural and biological controls, respectively, while more frequent irrigation does not deter pests.
What is an example of biological control in protecting crops from pests?
Explanation: Biological control uses living organisms like ladybugs to suppress pests naturally. Herbicides target weeds, spraying sulfur is a chemical method for disease, and flooding controls soil pests or weeds, not insect pests biologically.