Healthy Coconuts Challenge Quiz

Discover effective coconut disease prevention methods in horticulture with this focused quiz. Learn strategies to protect coconut palms from common threats using best agricultural practices.

1. Preventing Bud Rot in Coconut Palms

   Which practice is most effective in preventing bud rot disease in coconut plantations, especially in humid climates?

   1. Watering every evening during rainy seasons
   2. Ensuring proper drainage around the palm base
   3. Planting coconut palms closer together
   4. Applying excess nitrogen fertilizer

   Explanation: Ensuring good drainage helps prevent waterlogging, which creates conditions favoring bud rot pathogens. Excess nitrogen may stimulate foliage but won't stop fungal growth. Planting closely increases disease risk, and unnecessary evening watering raises moisture, promoting rot.

2. Controlling Leaf Spot Fungi

   When black spots appear on coconut leaves, what is an important disease prevention step for growers to take?

   1. Increase shade by growing taller crops nearby
   2. Reduce potassium application drastically
   3. Remove and destroy infected leaves promptly
   4. Spray leaves weekly with plain water

   Explanation: Removing and destroying infected leaves helps stop the spread of fungal spores. Water spraying does not control fungal diseases. Increasing shade can increase humidity and disease risk. Cutting potassium may weaken palms and is not effective.

3. Role of Crop Sanitation in Coconut Gardens

   What does regular crop sanitation involve to prevent the spread of coconut diseases?

   1. Spraying entire gardens with sugar water
   2. Leaving old fronds on the trees for shade
   3. Adding large amounts of mulch directly against palm stems
   4. Clearing fallen nuts and debris from around palms

   Explanation: Clearing debris removes potential sources of infection and pests. Sugar water spraying does not prevent diseases. Mulch piled against stems can trap moisture and encourage rot. Old fronds left for shade may harbor pathogens.

4. Importance of Resistant Coconut Varieties

   Why is planting disease-resistant coconut varieties recommended for coconut disease prevention?

   1. They are less likely to get common diseases compared to susceptible varieties
   2. They do not require any fertilization
   3. They grow faster than all other palm types
   4. They produce larger nuts regardless of disease

   Explanation: Disease-resistant varieties have traits that help prevent infection, reducing the chance of losses. Larger nuts and faster growth are not guaranteed. All coconut palms, even resistant ones, may still need proper fertilization for optimal health.

5. Limiting the Spread of Lethal Yellowing Disease

   Which method best limits the spread of lethal yellowing disease among coconut palms in an orchard?

   1. Prompt removal and destruction of infected trees
   2. Reducing irrigation to once a month
   3. Painting tree trunks white during summer
   4. Applying insecticide to the soil only

   Explanation: Removing infected trees quickly reduces the disease's chance to spread to healthy palms. Soil insecticides rarely affect the vector efficiently. Painting trunks does not prevent disease transmission. Inadequate irrigation may stress trees, not prevent disease.