Mastering Mango Health Quiz Quiz

Assess your understanding of mango anthracnose management, including key symptoms, effective control measures, and cultural practices to reduce disease impact in horticulture settings.

1. Identifying the Cause of Anthracnose

   Which pathogen is primarily responsible for causing anthracnose disease in mangoes, leading to dark, sunken lesions on fruits and leaves?

   1. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
   2. Xanthomonas campestris
   3. Pseudomonas syringae
   4. Phytophthora infestans

   Explanation: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the fungal pathogen that causes anthracnose in mangoes. Phytophthora infestans mainly causes late blight in potatoes and tomatoes, Xanthomonas campestris is linked to bacterial spot diseases, and Pseudomonas syringae is associated with bacterial cankers and blights in various plants.

2. Symptom Recognition

   When inspecting a mango orchard, which symptom most strongly suggests anthracnose infection during humid conditions?

   1. Yellowing and upward curling of leaves
   2. Powdery white growth on leaf surfaces
   3. Thick, corky lesions at the stem base
   4. Irregular black spots on leaves and fruits

   Explanation: Irregular black spots, often sunken and expanding in humid weather, are typical symptoms of anthracnose. Powdery white growth points to powdery mildew, yellowing and curling may indicate nutrient deficiencies or viral infection, and corky lesions near the base are not associated with anthracnose.

3. Cultural Control Strategies

   Which orchard management practice helps reduce the spread of mango anthracnose by lowering humidity and improving airflow?

   1. Applying granular fertilizers heavily
   2. Using reflective mulches
   3. Pruning overcrowded branches
   4. Delaying harvest well into the rainy season

   Explanation: Pruning overcrowded branches enhances sunlight penetration and airflow, reducing humidity that favors anthracnose development. Excessive fertilizer application does not manage disease, reflective mulches are mainly for pest or temperature control, and delaying harvest can increase disease risk.

4. Chemical Control Approaches

   What is the most common timing for fungicide application to manage mango anthracnose effectively?

   1. At first flower panicle emergence and repeated at intervals
   2. During deep dormancy in winter
   3. Only after visible fruit rot appears
   4. Just once at the end of harvesting

   Explanation: Starting fungicide application at panicle emergence and repeating at recommended intervals provides effective protection against early infection. Applying only after fruit rot is visible is often too late, once at harvest is insufficient, and dormant season applications have little effect.

5. Resistant Varieties and Postharvest Handling

   Which integrated approach best minimizes postharvest anthracnose losses in mango fruits?

   1. Allowing fruits to overripen on the tree
   2. Washing fruits with plain water only
   3. Storing fruits in sealed plastic bags immediately after picking
   4. Harvesting healthy fruits before full ripeness and using hot water treatment

   Explanation: Harvesting before full ripeness reduces infection risk, and hot water treatments can kill surface spores. Overripening increases susceptibility, washing only with water may not remove pathogens, and sealing in plastic bags can encourage fungal growth due to trapped moisture.