Mustard Fungus Fighter Quiz Quiz

Challenge your understanding of sustainable management practices for fungal diseases in mustard crops. Enhance your expertise with real-world scenarios about prevention, diagnosis, and control of common mustard pathogens.

1. Identifying White Rust Disease

   A farmer observes white, blister-like growths on the underside of mustard leaves after a wet spell. Which fungus is most likely causing this disease?

   1. Erysiphe cruciferarum
   2. Albugo candida
   3. Fusarium oxysporum
   4. Rhizoctonia solani

   Explanation: Albugo candida causes white rust, presenting as white pustules on mustard leaves during humid conditions. Fusarium oxysporum typically leads to wilt symptoms, not white blisters. Rhizoctonia solani primarily causes root rot, and Erysiphe cruciferarum is responsible for powdery mildew, which appears as a white, powdery coating rather than blisters.

2. Crop Rotation Decision

   To prevent Sclerotinia stem rot in mustard fields, which practice should be prioritized in crop rotation planning?

   1. Increase irrigation frequency
   2. Plant mustard continuously for several years
   3. Select rice as the only preceding crop
   4. Avoid planting mustard after sunflowers

   Explanation: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum affects both mustard and sunflower, so avoiding sequential planting reduces inoculum build-up. Continuous mustard encourages pathogen persistence, rice alone may not disrupt the lifecycle effectively, and frequent irrigation can actually increase disease risk by maintaining moist conditions.

3. Effective Fungicide Timing

   When should a contact fungicide ideally be applied to control Alternaria blight in mustard crops for best results?

   1. At the onset of first disease symptoms
   2. Well before sowing the crop
   3. During seed harvesting
   4. After pod formation only

   Explanation: Applying fungicides when symptoms first appear helps limit the spread of Alternaria blight. Spraying after pod formation is often too late, while pre-sowing application does not protect growing plants. During seed harvesting, fungicides have no effect on disease control.

4. Seed Treatment Strategy

   Which method can best reduce the risk of seed-borne fungal diseases in mustard before sowing?

   1. Soaking seeds in plain water overnight
   2. Planting seeds in dry, hot weather only
   3. Using larger seed sizes exclusively
   4. Treating seeds with recommended fungicides

   Explanation: Seed treatment with appropriate fungicides helps eradicate seed-borne pathogens, reducing early infections. Planting in dry or hot weather doesn't reliably prevent fungal disease. Seed size has minimal impact, and soaking in water does not eliminate pathogens.

5. Cultural Practice Impact

   How does maintaining wide plant spacing help reduce powdery mildew risk in mustard fields?

   1. It ensures deeper root growth for each plant
   2. It supports more fertilizer application per plant
   3. It accelerates flowering and pod set
   4. It increases air circulation and lowers humidity

   Explanation: Wider spacing allows better airflow between plants, reducing the humidity that favors powdery mildew development. Deeper root growth and accelerated flowering do not affect fungal risk directly, and fertilizer rates are unrelated to disease spread from this pathogen.