Mango Die Back Defense Quiz Quiz

Explore key diseases affecting mango trees, symptom identification, and management practices. Enhance your understanding of mango die back and similar disorders vital for healthy horticulture.

1. Identifying Mango Die Back

   A mango tree's branches start drying from the tip and leaves wither rapidly, eventually leading to branch death. What is the most likely cause?

   1. Powdery mildew
   2. Anthracnose
   3. Die back disease
   4. Red rust

   Explanation: Die back disease typically causes drying and death of mango branches starting from the tips. Powdery mildew mainly affects flowers and young leaves with white powdery growth. Anthracnose shows as black spots on leaves and fruits, not tip dieback. Red rust is characterized by orange-red patches, not branch death.

2. Causative Agent of Mango Die Back

   Which pathogen is most commonly associated with mango die back in tropical regions?

   1. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
   2. Botryodiplodia theobromae
   3. Oidium mangiferae
   4. Cephaleuros virescens

   Explanation: Botryodiplodia theobromae is the fungus mainly responsible for mango die back. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causes anthracnose, not die back. Oidium mangiferae is linked with powdery mildew. Cephaleuros virescens is the agent of red rust in mangoes.

3. Environmental Conditions Favoring Die Back

   Which set of environmental conditions best encourages the development of mango die back disease?

   1. Constantly dry and hot weather
   2. Prolonged foggy conditions
   3. High humidity and wounds on branches
   4. Excessive drought and cool nights

   Explanation: High humidity and branch injuries create suitable conditions for the die back pathogen. Excessive drought typically weakens trees but does not directly favor die back. Foggy conditions may promote anthracnose. Constantly dry, hot weather is less conducive to the fungal spread.

4. Symptom Differentiation

   How does early infestation of die back disease on mango trees most distinctly appear compared to anthracnose?

   1. White powdery leaf growth
   2. Orange-red leaf patches
   3. Black sunken fruit spots
   4. Twig tip browning and leaf drying

   Explanation: Early die back shows browning at twig tips and drying leaves. Black sunken spots are typical of anthracnose. White powder signifies powdery mildew, while orange-red patches indicate red rust infection.

5. Management Practice for Die Back

   Which method is most effective in managing die back disease in mango orchards?

   1. Bagging fruits while on the tree
   2. Pruning affected branches and applying fungicides
   3. Frequent overhead irrigation
   4. Increasing potassium fertilization

   Explanation: Pruning diseased branches and proper fungicide use reduce the spread of die back. Overhead irrigation can worsen fungal problems. Potassium fertilization helps general health but does not control die back. Bagging fruits is mainly used against fruit-fly or anthracnose, not die back.