Brinjal Defender Quiz Quiz

Explore key facts and effective strategies for managing brinjal pests to ensure healthy crop production. Gain insight into identification, control, and prevention methods relevant to horticultural practices.

1. Recognizing Dead Heart Symptoms

   Which brinjal pest commonly causes 'dead heart' symptoms in young seedlings, where the central shoot wilts while outer leaves remain green?

   1. Root-knot nematode
   2. Shoot and fruit borer
   3. Aphids
   4. Spider mites

   Explanation: Shoot and fruit borer larvae bore into the stem and destroy inner tissues, resulting in 'dead heart' where only the central shoot wilts. Aphids suck sap but do not induce this damage type. Spider mites mostly cause leaf stippling and webbing, not wilting. Root-knot nematodes lead to gall formation on roots, not dead heart symptoms.

2. Optimal Control Timing

   At which brinjal plant stage is it most critical to monitor and manage shoot and fruit borers to minimize yield losses?

   1. Flowering and fruit set stage
   2. Seedling stage
   3. Mature pod stage
   4. Harvested stage

   Explanation: Controlling shoot and fruit borers during flowering and fruit set is vital because larvae attack young shoots and developing fruits at this period, affecting yield quality. Seedlings are less affected by fruit borers. Mature pods and harvested stages are less vulnerable, as damage is already established.

3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

   Which of the following practices best exemplifies integrated pest management (IPM) in brinjal cultivation?

   1. Only applying chemical insecticides frequently
   2. Exclusively relying on manual pest removal
   3. Using pheromone traps alongside resistant varieties and selective insecticides
   4. Flooding the field after harvesting

   Explanation: IPM combines multiple methods like pheromone traps, resistant varieties, and selective use of pesticides for sustainable control. Sole chemical use can lead to resistance and environmental harm. Field flooding is not standard brinjal practice. Only manual removal is impractical and insufficient for commercial crops.

4. Damage Identification

   How can you distinguish brinjal shoot and fruit borer damage from that of stem borers in other crops?

   1. Large galls on roots
   2. Presence of holes with frass (sawdust-like excreta) on both shoots and fruits
   3. Stunted growth with yellowing leaves
   4. Silvering of leaves and webbing

   Explanation: Shoot and fruit borer damage is identified by tiny holes and frass on shoots and fruits. Root galls signal root-knot nematodes, not borers. Silvering and webbing indicate mite infestation. Stunted, yellowing growth can result from several causes but is not specific to borers.

5. Biological Control Option

   Which biological control agent is commonly used against brinjal shoot and fruit borer larvae?

   1. Lacewing larvae
   2. Entomopathogenic nematodes
   3. Trichogramma chilonis (egg parasitoid wasp)
   4. Ladybird beetle

   Explanation: Trichogramma chilonis parasitizes pest eggs and helps reduce borer populations before larvae emerge. Ladybird beetles target aphids, not borers. Entomopathogenic nematodes are more effective against soil pests. Lacewings mainly prey on soft-bodied insects like aphids.