Defend Your Bhendi Quiz Quiz

Discover key facts and strategies for protecting bhendi (okra) crops from common pests and diseases. Sharpen your knowledge of sustainable practices and effective interventions for healthy harvests.

1. Identifying the Shoot and Fruit Borer

   Which of the following is the most characteristic symptom of bhendi shoot and fruit borer (Earias vittella) infestation in the field?

   1. Powdery white coating on leaves
   2. Drooping tender shoots with bore holes
   3. Wilting of the entire plant
   4. Yellow spots on leaves

   Explanation: Drooping and bore holes in tender shoots are typical of shoot and fruit borer attack. Yellow spots and powdery coatings are associated with fungal or viral infections, while whole-plant wilting is usually due to root or vascular problems. Only the first option directly describes borer damage on bhendi.

2. Aphid Management in Bhendi

   What is the most eco-friendly method to manage aphid infestations on bhendi during the vegetative stage?

   1. Frequent chemical spraying
   2. Using soil fumigation
   3. Applying granular fertilizers
   4. Releasing ladybird beetles

   Explanation: Ladybird beetles are natural predators of aphids, making them an eco-friendly biological control. Chemical spraying can harm beneficial insects, soil fumigation is not effective for above-ground aphids, and granular fertilizers do not control aphids.

3. Preventing Leaf Curl Virus

   To reduce the incidence of Bhendi Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (BYVMV), which preventive action is most effective?

   1. Applying excess nitrogen fertilizer
   2. Overhead irrigation every day
   3. Using virus-resistant bhendi varieties
   4. Deep ploughing after harvest

   Explanation: Cultivating virus-resistant varieties is the best way to prevent BYVMV. Excess nitrogen and daily overhead irrigation can worsen problems by encouraging growth and spread, while deep ploughing is more useful for some soil problems, not virus control.

4. Timing for Pest Monitoring

   At what crop stage should regular monitoring for fruit borers generally begin in bhendi, considering typical pest behavior?

   1. Post-harvest period
   2. Harvesting stage
   3. Flowering stage
   4. Seedling emergence

   Explanation: Monitoring should start at the flowering stage, when fruit borers are most likely to infest. Seedling and post-harvest stages are less relevant for this pest, while waiting until harvest is too late for effective intervention.

5. Weed Management and Pest Reduction

   How does proper weed management contribute to reducing pest problems in bhendi cultivation?

   1. Weeds promote seed germination
   2. Weeds provide shade for young crops
   3. Weeds can harbor pest insects and viruses
   4. Weeds increase soil organic matter rapidly

   Explanation: Weeds often serve as hosts for pests and viral vectors, increasing risk to the crop. While weeds can contribute to organic matter, that is not their main effect in pest management. Promoting germination and providing shade are not related to pest problems.