Healthy Coconuts Challenge Quiz

Explore key strategies and knowledge for preventing disease in coconut agriculture. Great for farmers, students, and anyone interested in maintaining healthy coconuts.

1. Coconut Leaf Spot Prevention

   What is an effective way to prevent leaf spot disease in coconut plantations, which commonly appears as lesions on leaves?

   1. Ensuring good airflow by proper spacing
   2. Watering leaves directly every day
   3. Applying excess nitrogen fertilizer
   4. Leaving fallen infected leaves on the ground

   Explanation: Proper spacing between coconut trees improves air circulation, reducing humidity that favors leaf spot development. Excess nitrogen can promote weaker growth, directly watering leaves increases disease risk, and leaving infected debris spreads pathogens.

2. Bud Rot Management

   When dealing with bud rot in coconuts, what is the most important initial step for effective disease management?

   1. Apply pesticide to all trees
   2. Add organic mulch around the trunk
   3. Irrigate daily with high-pressure sprays
   4. Remove and destroy affected palms

   Explanation: Removing and destroying infected trees prevents bud rot from spreading. Pesticide application won't cure already infected palms, heavy irrigation can worsen fungal problems, and excess mulch may retain moisture, encouraging disease.

3. Sanitation Practices

   Which sanitation practice best helps prevent the spread of fungal diseases in coconut groves?

   1. Regularly cleaning farm tools after use
   2. Never removing coconut husks from the plantation
   3. Using the same pruning tools across all farms without cleaning
   4. Applying pesticides at double the recommended rate

   Explanation: Cleaning tools helps prevent accidental transfer of fungal pathogens. Sharing unclean tools increases disease risk, overdosing pesticides is unsafe and ineffective, and leaving husks can harbor pests and diseases.

4. Resistant Varieties Benefit

   Why is planting disease-resistant coconut varieties a recommended prevention method?

   1. They require no nutrient inputs
   2. They do not need any water
   3. They have genetic resistance to certain pathogens
   4. They grow faster than all other varieties

   Explanation: Resistant varieties have built-in genetic defenses, making them less likely to succumb to diseases. They do not necessarily grow faster, still need water, and require normal nutrition for healthy development.

5. Controlling Coconut Trunk Wilt

   What cultural practice is often recommended to prevent coconut trunk wilt disease?

   1. Pruning all leaves every month
   2. Applying salt directly to trunks
   3. Painting trunks with latex paint
   4. Avoiding waterlogging around trees

   Explanation: Preventing waterlogging helps avoid root stress and the development of trunk wilt. Frequent pruning weakens trees, salt can be harmful, and latex paint is not effective against trunk wilt pathogens.