Defeating the Jassid Quiz Quiz

Explore essential strategies and facts about effective pest management for cumin crops, with an emphasis on controlling jassids in agricultural settings.

1. Jassid Identification

   Which characteristic best helps farmers identify jassid (Empoasca spp.) infestation in cumin fields?

   1. Webbing between leaves
   2. Powdery white spots on stems
   3. Brown circular leaf spots
   4. Leaf curling and yellowing at the edges

   Explanation: Leaf curling and yellowing at the edges is a classic symptom of jassid infestation due to sap sucking. Powdery white spots are more typical of mildew, webbing is usually caused by mites or caterpillars, and brown circular spots are signs of fungal or bacterial foliar diseases.

2. Life Cycle Timing

   During which growth stage of cumin are jassids most likely to cause significant damage?

   1. Flowering stage
   2. Harvest stage
   3. Early vegetative stage
   4. Seedling stage

   Explanation: Jassids usually cause the most harm during the early vegetative stage, as plants are more susceptible and tender. Seedling stage poses less foliage for feeding, flowering and harvest stages see less jassid activity due to plant maturity and tougher tissues.

3. Integrated Pest Management

   What is a key benefit of using yellow sticky traps in cumin fields for jassid management?

   1. They attract and trap adult jassids
   2. They promote beneficial fungi
   3. They repel jassids chemically
   4. They sterilize jassid eggs

   Explanation: Yellow sticky traps work by attracting and trapping flying adult jassids. They do not repel insects chemically, cannot sterilize eggs, and do not foster beneficial fungi; their action is purely physical and visual.

4. Chemical Control Consideration

   Which practice is essential when applying insecticides for jassid control in cumin fields?

   1. Using the same chemical every time
   2. Rotating insecticides with different modes of action
   3. Applying in the harvest stage only
   4. Spraying during midday sunlight

   Explanation: Rotating insecticides helps prevent resistance build-up in jassid populations. Repeated use of one chemical encourages resistance, spraying in midday sunlight can reduce effectiveness and increase risks, and late application at harvest risks residue issues.

5. Host Plant Resistance

   Why might a cumin farmer select a pest-resistant variety for jassid management?

   1. It lowers jassid populations naturally
   2. It guarantees larger seed size
   3. It eliminates all pests entirely
   4. It speeds up plant flowering

   Explanation: Resistant varieties contain traits that deter or tolerate jassid feeding, thus naturally reducing pest populations. They do not directly affect flowering time, seed size, or provide complete elimination of all pests.