Guava Fruit Drop Solutions Quiz Quiz

Explore key practices and causes related to fruit drop in guava cultivation, and learn how to reduce losses for better yields. This quiz covers common problems and practical horticultural strategies for managing guava fruit drop.

1. Role of Watering in Guava Fruit Drop

   A guava orchard experiences significant fruit drop during a dry spell; which irrigation practice can best minimize this loss?

   1. Reducing water supply during fruit set
   2. Regular deep watering during fruit development
   3. Flooding the orchard once each month
   4. Watering only after the leaves wilt

   Explanation: Consistent deep watering during fruit formation maintains soil moisture and reduces fruit drop. Watering only when leaves wilt leads to plant stress. Reducing water supply causes moisture stress, increasing fruit drop. Monthly flooding risks root rot and is too infrequent to prevent stress.

2. Nutrient Deficiency and Fruit Drop

   If a guava grower notices premature fruit drop and pale leaves, which deficiency is most likely responsible?

   1. Magnesium toxicity
   2. Nitrogen deficiency
   3. Sulfur oversupply
   4. Excess potassium

   Explanation: Nitrogen deficiency commonly causes pale leaves and weak fruit retention due to poor plant health. Excess potassium and magnesium toxicity are rarely associated with fruit drop in guava. Sulfur oversupply does not typically produce these symptoms.

3. Pest Management Impact

   In a scenario where fruit borers are active in a guava plantation, which practice is most effective for reducing fruit drop due to pest attack?

   1. Spraying water on leaves daily
   2. Adding extra organic mulch
   3. Increasing plant spacing
   4. Regular monitoring and timely removal of infested fruits

   Explanation: Regularly removing infested fruits lowers pest populations and prevents their spread, helping to minimize fruit drop. Spraying water, changing plant spacing, and adding mulch do not directly address pest infestations.

4. Effect of Hormonal Sprays

   Which plant growth regulator is commonly applied to guava trees to reduce fruit drop during early fruit development?

   1. 2,4-D (auxin)
   2. Cytokinin
   3. Abscisic acid
   4. Ethylene

   Explanation: 2,4-D, a synthetic auxin, is widely used to reduce fruit drop by improving fruit retention. Cytokinins generally promote cell division but are less effective for fruit set. Abscisic acid and ethylene tend to promote fruit drop.

5. Impact of Cultural Practices

   A grower prunes guava trees heavily before the fruiting season and notices increased fruit drop. What is the most likely reason for this result?

   1. Pruning improves nutrient uptake
   2. Pruning enhances fruit size only
   3. Pruning increases pollinator visitation
   4. Pruning reduces the leaf area needed to support fruit development

   Explanation: Heavy pruning lowers the leaf area, limiting photosynthesis and resources available to developing fruits, often leading to more fruit drop. While pruning can improve light and air flow, excessive removal of leaves does not enhance nutrient uptake or directly attract more pollinators, and fruit size may not increase if there is insufficient support.