Mustard Disease Defense Quiz Quiz

Explore effective strategies and essential knowledge for managing common diseases that affect mustard crops. Improve your understanding of identification, prevention, and control methods for healthier harvests.

1. Identifying Major Mustard Diseases

   Which fungal disease is commonly responsible for causing white, cottony masses and stem rot in mustard plants, especially under humid conditions?

   1. Sclerotinia stem rot
   2. Anthracnose
   3. Verticillium wilt
   4. Downy mildew

   Explanation: Sclerotinia stem rot is characterized by white, cotton-like fungal growth on stems and causes lodging in mustard, making it a significant threat under wet conditions. Verticillium wilt typically produces yellowing and wilting but not cottony masses. Downy mildew affects leaves more than stems and shows as yellow spots and fuzz on undersides. Anthracnose results in dark, sunken lesions but lacks the white mycelial masses.

2. Preventing Alternaria Blight

   Which cultural practice is most effective in reducing the incidence of Alternaria blight in mustard fields?

   1. Late sowing
   2. Crop rotation
   3. Shallow planting
   4. Frequent irrigation

   Explanation: Crop rotation with non-cruciferous crops breaks the disease cycle of Alternaria blight by reducing pathogen buildup in the soil. Late sowing can increase disease risk since young plants face higher inoculum. Shallow planting does not address the airborne spores' source. Frequent irrigation may worsen humidity-induced diseases like blight.

3. Chemical Control of Powdery Mildew

   When powdery mildew is detected early on mustard leaves, which chemical management approach is recommended for control?

   1. Use copper sulfate spray
   2. Spray herbicide
   3. Sprinkle table salt
   4. Apply sulfur-based fungicide

   Explanation: Sulfur-based fungicides are proven to effectively manage powdery mildew in mustard crops by inhibiting fungal growth. Copper sulfate primarily targets bacterial and some fungal pathogens but not powdery mildew effectively. Table salt and herbicides are inappropriate; salt can injure plants and herbicides are not meant for fungal diseases.

4. Role of Resistant Varieties

   Why is cultivating disease-resistant mustard varieties considered a reliable disease management strategy?

   1. They have larger seeds
   2. They possess genetic traits that reduce susceptibility
   3. They require less fertilizer
   4. They grow faster

   Explanation: Disease-resistant varieties have been bred to resist or tolerate certain pathogens, significantly lowering disease impact. Fertilizer application, growth rate, and seed size are unrelated to a plant's inherent disease resistance, making these distractors less relevant.

5. Recognizing Downy Mildew Symptoms

   What are the typical leaf symptoms of downy mildew infection in mustard crops during cool, moist weather?

   1. Red speckles on leaf tips
   2. Yellow patches with white fungal growth on undersides
   3. Black streaks along the veins
   4. Wilting without discoloration

   Explanation: Downy mildew manifests as yellow spots on the upper leaf surface and cottony white growth beneath, especially during cool, moist conditions. Red speckles and black streaks are characteristic of other diseases or deficiencies. Wilting without discoloration commonly indicates root issues, not downy mildew.