Brinjal Defender Quiz Quiz

Explore essential practices and challenges in brinjal crop protection, including pest management, disease control, and recommended interventions. Perfect for farmers and horticulture enthusiasts aiming to safeguard their brinjal harvest.

1. Identifying Major Brinjal Pests

   Which insect is considered the most destructive pest affecting brinjal crops by boring into the fruits and stems?

   1. Fruit and Shoot Borer
   2. Red Spider Mite
   3. Aphid
   4. Leaf Miner

   Explanation: The Fruit and Shoot Borer is the primary pest that bores into brinjal fruits and stems, causing severe yield loss. Leaf Miners create tunnels in leaves but rarely affect fruits; Aphids mainly suck sap and transmit viruses; Red Spider Mites cause leaf discoloration, not fruit damage.

2. Fungal Disease Management

   What is the most effective initial step to manage early blight, a common fungal disease in brinjal?

   1. Irrigate frequently
   2. Apply nitrogen fertilizer
   3. Increase planting density
   4. Remove infected plant parts

   Explanation: Removing infected plant parts can limit the spread of early blight before it becomes widespread. Applying nitrogen does not control fungi, increased density encourages disease, and excessive irrigation can worsen fungal outbreaks.

3. Safe Use of Biopesticides

   Which biopesticide is commonly recommended for controlling brinjal fruit and shoot borer while minimizing impact on beneficial insects?

   1. Deltamethrin
   2. Copper sulfate
   3. Carbaryl
   4. Bacillus thuringiensis

   Explanation: Bacillus thuringiensis is a microbial biopesticide effective against larval pests and safe for beneficial insects. Copper sulfate is fungicidal, while Carbaryl and Deltamethrin are chemical insecticides that harm non-target organisms.

4. Best Practices for Preventing Viral Diseases

   What is a key cultural practice to prevent the spread of mosaic virus in brinjal fields?

   1. Remove and destroy infected plants
   2. Use high phosphorus fertilizers
   3. Harvest fruits very early
   4. Spray extra water on leaves

   Explanation: Uprooting and disposing of infected plants prevents mosaic virus from spreading. Spraying water and early harvesting do not address virus transmission, while phosphorus fertilization only affects plant nutrition.

5. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategy

   Which of the following illustrates an integrated approach to managing brinjal pests effectively?

   1. Using crop rotation, pheromone traps, and selective pesticides
   2. Growing brinjal in the same spot each season
   3. Applying only chemical pesticides regularly
   4. Increasing irrigation frequency during pest outbreaks

   Explanation: An integrated approach combines cultural, mechanical, and chemical control for sustainable pest management. Sole reliance on chemicals, continuous monocropping, or just increasing irrigation are not parts of effective IPM.