Healthy Coconuts Challenge Quiz

Explore best practices for identifying and managing major coconut diseases to ensure optimal yield and healthy plantations. Boost your understanding of coconut crop protection strategies through this targeted quiz.

1. Identifying Root Wilt Disease

   A coconut farmer notices yellowing and wilting of older leaves, slow growth, and reduced nut yield. Which disease is most likely affecting these coconut palms?

   1. Bud Rot
   2. Root Wilt Disease
   3. Coconut Mite Infestation
   4. Leaf Blight

   Explanation: Root Wilt Disease commonly causes yellowing, wilting leaves, and reduced yields in coconuts. Bud rot mainly affects the bud at the top of the plant, not the whole leaf canopy. Coconut mite infestation deforms nuts, rather than wilting leaves. Leaf blight leads to leaf lesions rather than widespread wilting.

2. Preventing Bud Rot in Monsoon

   During the rainy season, which preventive action is most effective to reduce the risk of bud rot in coconut palms?

   1. Reducing fertilizer application
   2. Planting new coconut seedlings
   3. Applying extra irrigation
   4. Improving drainage and removing standing water

   Explanation: Bud rot is favored by wet conditions, so improving drainage and removing standing water helps prevent it. Reducing fertilizer does not address the disease. Planting new seedlings does not help existing trees. Applying more irrigation can worsen the issue during the rainy season.

3. Symptoms of Red Palm Weevil Attack

   A coconut farm reports yellowing new leaves, holes in the trunk, and oozing brown liquid. Which pest is likely responsible for these symptoms?

   1. Sooty Mould
   2. Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot
   3. Red Palm Weevil
   4. Coconut Scale Insect

   Explanation: Red Palm Weevil larvae bore into trunks, causing holes and sap oozing. Sooty mould appears as black deposits, not trunk damage. Ganoderma rot results in trunk base decay but not boring holes. Coconut scale insects cause leaf yellowing, not oozing or trunk holes.

4. Management of Lethal Yellowing

   What is the recommended management strategy for lethal yellowing disease in coconut plantations?

   1. Prompt removal and destruction of infected palms
   2. Spraying copper fungicides on all leaves
   3. Increasing irrigation frequency
   4. Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers

   Explanation: Lethal yellowing is caused by a phytoplasma, and removing infected trees prevents its spread. Fungicides and fertilizers do not cure or control the pathogen. More irrigation does not address the underlying disease.

5. Best Practice Against Stem Bleeding

   If a coconut tree develops stem lesions exuding a reddish-brown fluid, what is a key management recommendation?

   1. Cleaning lesions and applying fungicidal paste
   2. Flooding the base with water
   3. Pruning all fronds
   4. Applying urea directly onto lesions

   Explanation: Cleaning and treating lesions with fungicides helps control stem bleeding. Pruning all fronds is excessive and stressful for the plant. Flooding increases disease risk. Applying urea on lesions is ineffective for fungal stem infections.