Fungal Foes of Potatoes Quiz Quiz

Uncover key strategies and risks in managing potato diseases caused by fungi, vital for sustainable agriculture. Enhance your knowledge of potato pathology, prevention, and control options using realistic field scenarios.

1. Early Blight Identification

   A farmer notices dark, concentric ring spots on potato leaves in mid-summer; which fungal disease is most likely responsible?

   1. Pink rot
   2. Powdery scab
   3. Late wilt
   4. Early blight

   Explanation: Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, produces characteristic dark lesions with concentric rings and usually appears in mid-summer. Late wilt and pink rot primarily affect the tubers, while powdery scab causes scab-like lesions, not concentric leaf spots.

2. Late Blight Weather Risk

   Which weather condition most favors the spread of potato late blight in the field?

   1. Sunny and humid
   2. Windy and cold
   3. Hot and dry
   4. Cool and wet

   Explanation: Cool and wet conditions allow Phytophthora infestans, the late blight pathogen, to thrive and spread rapidly. Hot and dry inhibits the fungus, while windy or just humid conditions without moisture are less favorable for infection.

3. Fungicide Application Timing

   When is the optimal time to apply protective fungicides against potato late blight to maximize effectiveness?

   1. Before first disease symptoms appear
   2. After leaves turn yellow
   3. Only if lesions are visible
   4. During harvest

   Explanation: Preventive fungicide applications are most effective when made before symptoms appear, interrupting initial infection. Applying after leaves yellow or only when lesions are visible may be too late, and during harvest is not practical for disease control.

4. Soil Management for Scab

   A grower is aiming to reduce fungal potato scab. Which soil management practice is most effective?

   1. Watering infrequently
   2. Using sandy soil only
   3. Maintaining slightly acidic soil pH
   4. Adding excess lime

   Explanation: Slightly acidic soils suppress common scab and some fungal scab-like pathogens. Excess lime increases pH and risk, infrequent watering encourages disease, and sandy soils alone do not adequately control scab.

5. Resistant Varieties Role

   How do resistant potato varieties help in managing fungal diseases in commercial crops?

   1. They guarantee no disease
   2. They eliminate the need for all fungicides
   3. They make tubers grow faster
   4. They reduce disease severity

   Explanation: Resistant varieties help by reducing disease severity—not entirely eliminating disease or the need for fungicides. They do not guarantee full protection or faster tuber growth; they act as one component in integrated management.