Mustard Fungus Fighter Quiz Quiz

Strengthen your understanding of effective fungus management strategies for mustard crops with these scenario-based questions covering identification, prevention, and treatment. This quiz highlights practical approaches to safeguard mustard yields from common fungal threats.

1. Identifying White Rust in Mustard

   A mustard farmer notices white blister-like pustules on the lower leaf surfaces during mid-season; which fungus is most likely responsible?

   1. Ustilago maydis
   2. Alternaria brassicae
   3. Albugo candida
   4. Puccinia graminis

   Explanation: Albugo candida causes white rust in mustard, producing characteristic white blisters on leaves. Puccinia graminis is associated with wheat stem rust, not mustard. Alternaria brassicae causes leaf spots rather than blisters, and Ustilago maydis leads to smut in maize, not mustard.

2. Crop Rotation Practice

   Why is practicing crop rotation effective for managing soil-borne fungal diseases like Sclerotinia stem rot in mustard?

   1. It increases nitrogen levels in the soil.
   2. It always makes the weather unsuitable for fungi.
   3. It breaks the life cycle of the fungus by removing host plants.
   4. It reduces water requirements for all crops.

   Explanation: Rotating crops removes susceptible hosts, interrupting the survival of soil-borne pathogens. Increasing nitrogen is unrelated to pathogen breakage. Weather remains unaffected by crop rotation. Water use is based on crop type, not rotation, so this does not directly affect fungal disease management.

3. Use of Fungicides

   Which consideration is most important for effective fungicide application against Alternaria blight in mustard fields?

   1. Applying at the early sign of disease symptoms
   2. Watering immediately after spraying
   3. Mixing fungicide with any pesticide available
   4. Spraying only once at harvest time

   Explanation: Applying fungicide at the first sign of symptoms maximizes effectiveness. Immediate watering may wash off fungicides, reducing efficacy. Mixing without checking compatibility can cause problems. Spraying only at harvest is too late to prevent spread and yield loss.

4. Cultural Disease Control Methods

   Which cultural practice best helps to reduce the incidence of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew in mustard crops?

   1. Delaying all irrigation until after flowering
   2. Harvesting leaves from the bottom only
   3. Ensuring proper plant spacing for airflow
   4. Planting seeds more densely

   Explanation: Good spacing improves air movement, reducing humidity and fungal spread. Denser planting can worsen disease by trapping moisture. Delaying irrigation is not specific to controlling powdery mildew, and leaf harvesting does not affect disease prevention.

5. Resistant Varieties

   How can growing disease-resistant mustard varieties help manage downy mildew and other fungal diseases?

   1. They will always eliminate the need for all other treatments
   2. They make the plants immune to all stresses
   3. They increase the mustard oil content
   4. Resistant varieties reduce the chances of infection and disease spread

   Explanation: Resistant varieties are less likely to become infected and can slow disease spread. However, they do not replace all other management practices. Resistance does not guarantee more oil or immunity to every type of stress, so those options are misleading.