Garlic Blight Busters Quiz Quiz

Explore the symptoms, causes, and management of common garlic diseases in horticultural practice. This quiz helps deepen your understanding of garlic health threats and effective prevention strategies.

1. White Rot Impact on Garlic

   Which symptom is most characteristic of white rot (caused by Sclerotium cepivorum) in garlic crops?

   1. Yellow striping on leaves without plant collapse
   2. Wilting plants with white fluffy fungal growth at the base
   3. Brown warty growths on leaves above ground
   4. Purple spots on bulbs with sticky exudate

   Explanation: White rot typically produces fluffy white fungal growth on the base of garlic plants, leading to wilting and death. Yellow striping is more indicative of viral issues, purple spots are rarely accompanied by sticky exudate in garlic, and brown warts are not usual for garlic disease.

2. Botrytis Neck Rot in Storage

   During storage, what is a common sign of botrytis neck rot in garlic bulbs?

   1. Silvery streaks running the bulb length
   2. Hard black scabs scattered on bulb skins
   3. Sunken yellow spots on leaves
   4. Gray mold at the neck and shriveled cloves

   Explanation: Botrytis neck rot often appears as grayish mold on the neck, with cloves becoming shriveled or soft. Sunken yellow spots relate more to bacterial leaf blights, black scabs are not typical for garlic botrytis, and silvery streaks do not occur with this disease.

3. Downy Mildew Favorable Conditions

   Which environmental condition best promotes the development of downy mildew in garlic fields?

   1. Cool, humid weather with poor air circulation
   2. Prolonged drought with sandy soils
   3. Frequent frost and rapidly freezing soil
   4. Extended hot and dry periods

   Explanation: Downy mildew thrives in cool, moist, and poorly ventilated conditions, making these settings highly favorable. Hot and dry or drought conditions suppress its spread, while frost and freezing are not directly tied to downy mildew outbreaks.

4. Basal Rot Pathogen Identification

   What is the primary fungus responsible for garlic basal rot, causing yellow lower leaves and rotted roots?

   1. Phytophthora infestans
   2. Fusarium spp.
   3. Puccinia graminis
   4. Penicillium expansum

   Explanation: Fusarium species are the main cause of basal rot in garlic. Phytophthora infestans causes late blight in potatoes and tomatoes, Penicillium expansum is linked to blue mold, and Puccinia graminis attacks cereals (rust).

5. Viral Mosaic Symptoms

   If garlic leaves show mottled yellow stripes and stunted growth, which disease is most likely responsible?

   1. Bacterial soft rot
   2. Smut disease
   3. Onion yellow dwarf virus infection
   4. White russet spot

   Explanation: Mottled yellow striping with stunting is characteristic of onion yellow dwarf virus, a common garlic virus. Bacterial soft rot causes wet bulb decay, white russet spot is not typical in garlic, and smut produces dark pustules, not striping.