Conquering Cumin Fungi Quiz Quiz

Sharpen your understanding of cumin fungal diseases and management practices vital for healthy crops. Discover effective strategies to control prevalent threats and minimize yield loss.

1. Recognizing Wilt Symptoms

   Farmers notice cumin plants with sudden wilting, yellowing leaves, and brown vascular tissues; which disease does this most likely indicate?

   1. Fusarium wilt
   2. Root rot
   3. Powdery mildew
   4. Leaf blight

   Explanation: Fusarium wilt causes wilting, yellowing, and brown streaks in cumin plant tissues. Leaf blight affects mostly leaves with brown spots, while powdery mildew presents as white powdery growth. Root rot impacts roots primarily, often leading to complete plant collapse, not gradual yellowing or vascular browning.

2. Best Practice for Powdery Mildew Management

   What is the most effective cultural practice for reducing powdery mildew incidence in cumin fields?

   1. Flood irrigation
   2. Applying nitrogen-heavy fertilizer
   3. Overhead sprinkling
   4. Increasing plant spacing

   Explanation: Increasing plant spacing improves air flow, reducing humidity and disease spread. Flood irrigation can promote other diseases. Overhead sprinkling increases leaf moisture, favoring mildew growth. Excessive nitrogen fertilization can make plants more susceptible to certain pathogens.

3. Correct Fungicide Timing

   When is the optimal stage to apply fungicides to control blight in cumin crops, ensuring effective disease prevention?

   1. After heavy rainfall
   2. At first sign of disease
   3. During seed harvesting
   4. After flowering only

   Explanation: Fungicides are most effective when applied at the first sign of blight to stop early spread. Waiting until after flowering or during harvest is too late; damage is already done. Post-rainfall application may help some diseases, but ideally, sprays are preventive or curative at the initial stage.

4. Sanitation Measure for Disease Control

   Which field sanitation step is considered essential for limiting the spread of cumin stem gall disease?

   1. Deep flooding before sowing
   2. Removal of infected plant debris
   3. Continuous monoculture
   4. Delaying sowing until late winter

   Explanation: Removing infected plant debris limits the survival of gall-causing pathogens. Delaying sowing may not be effective alone. Continuous monoculture increases disease risk, while deep flooding has minimal effect on fungal spore survival in cumin.

5. Role of Resistant Varieties

   Why is selecting disease-resistant cumin varieties recommended as part of integrated disease management?

   1. It delays flowering period
   2. It increases pesticide resistance
   3. It lowers dependence on fungicides
   4. It boosts seed oil content

   Explanation: Disease-resistant varieties help reduce reliance on chemical fungicides, minimizing costs and environmental impact. They do not specifically affect pesticide resistance, seed oil content, or the crop's flowering period directly.