Cumin Root Protection Quiz Quiz

Assess your understanding of effective strategies for managing root fungus in cumin cultivation. Explore preventative measures, identification techniques, and best practices to help maintain healthy cumin crops.

1. Identifying Root Rot Symptoms

   Which of the following is a common symptom indicating root fungus infection in cumin plants?

   1. Sudden seed pod splitting
   2. Yellow spots on the upper leaf surface only
   3. Purple leaf margins
   4. Wilting of leaves despite adequate watering

   Explanation: Wilting despite sufficient water is a typical sign of root fungus affecting nutrient and water uptake. Yellow spots on upper leaves are more characteristic of foliar diseases, seed pod splitting is generally a result of environmental stress or pests, and purple leaf margins can be due to nutrient deficiencies rather than root infections.

2. Preventative Measures

   What cultural practice is recommended to reduce the risk of root fungus in cumin fields?

   1. Reducing irrigation to almost zero
   2. Ensuring proper field drainage
   3. Applying nitrogen fertilizer excessively
   4. Deep planting of seeds

   Explanation: Proper drainage prevents waterlogging, which reduces the likelihood of root fungi thriving. Excessive fertilizer can stress plants, deep planting increases disease risk, and minimizing irrigation may stress the crop without necessarily preventing disease.

3. Fungicide Application Timing

   At which growth stage is it most beneficial to apply fungicide for protecting cumin roots from fungal pathogens?

   1. After flowering is complete
   2. Just before pod filling
   3. During seed harvesting only
   4. At early seedling emergence

   Explanation: Early application targets pathogens before they can infect roots, providing better protection. Treating after flowering, at seed harvest, or just before pod filling is often too late, as the infection may already be established.

4. Crop Rotation Benefit

   Why is rotating cumin with non-host crops an effective strategy against root fungus?

   1. It reduces fungal spores in the soil
   2. It encourages continuous root growth
   3. It increases soil acidity harmful to cumin
   4. It boosts overall humidity in the field

   Explanation: Crop rotation limits the build-up of fungi specific to cumin by depriving them of hosts. Increasing soil acidity may harm plants, higher humidity promotes many fungal diseases, and continuous root growth does not specifically interrupt the disease cycle.

5. Organic Soil Amendments

   Which organic amendment is often used to suppress root fungal diseases in cumin cultivation?

   1. Well-rotted farmyard manure
   2. Raw wood chips
   3. High-salt compost
   4. Pure sand

   Explanation: Well-rotted manure enhances beneficial soil microbes that suppress pathogens. Raw wood chips can tie up soil nutrients, pure sand offers limited benefits, and high-salt compost can harm cumin plants and soil health.