Root Fungus Busters Quiz Quiz

Explore key diseases affecting coriander crops and understand how to identify, prevent, and manage them effectively for healthier harvests.

1. Identifying Damping-Off in Coriander Seedlings

   A coriander grower notices that seedlings suddenly collapse and wilt at soil level shortly after germination. Which disease is most likely responsible for these symptoms?

   1. Rust
   2. Leaf curl
   3. Powdery mildew
   4. Damping-off

   Explanation: Damping-off primarily affects young seedlings, causing rot at the soil line and sudden collapse. Powdery mildew and rust typically appear as spots or powdery growth on leaves rather than stem collapse. Leaf curl causes curled or distorted leaves, not seedling rot.

2. Airborne Disease in Mature Coriander Plants

   During warm, dry conditions, white powdery patches appear on the leaves and stems of mature coriander. What is the most probable disease?

   1. Leaf blight
   2. Root rot
   3. Downy mildew
   4. Powdery mildew

   Explanation: Powdery mildew causes white, powdery growth on plant surfaces under dry conditions, affecting older leaves and stems. Downy mildew causes yellowing and downy growth mostly on undersides of leaves. Root rot affects roots, not leaves, and leaf blight usually results in spots or dead patches, not powdery residues.

3. Water Management and Coriander Root Health

   Overwatering and poor drainage in coriander fields most commonly trigger which soil-borne disease characterized by root browning and plant stunting?

   1. Smut
   2. Sclerotinia
   3. Root rot
   4. Rust

   Explanation: Root rot is typically caused by soil fungi thriving in wet conditions, causing brown, decaying roots and poor plant growth. Rust and smut are more commonly associated with above-ground symptoms. Sclerotinia can cause basal rot but is less common in coriander compared to root rot.

4. Recognizing Downy Mildew in Coriander

   A coriander crop develops yellow spots on upper leaf surfaces and grayish-white growth on the undersides during cool, humid weather. Which disease best fits this description?

   1. Bacterial blight
   2. Powdery mildew
   3. Downy mildew
   4. Leaf spot

   Explanation: Downy mildew creates yellow patches and downy growth mainly under humid, cool conditions. Powdery mildew produces white powder on both sides in drier weather. Leaf spot leads to discrete necrotic spots, and bacterial blight causes water-soaked lesions, not downy growth.

5. Key Prevention Strategy for Coriander Dampening-Off

   Which cultural practice is most effective for reducing the risk of damping-off disease in coriander nurseries?

   1. Dense sowing
   2. Ensuring good drainage
   3. Late sowing in the season
   4. Frequent overhead irrigation

   Explanation: Good drainage prevents excess moisture, reducing conditions favorable for damping-off pathogens. Frequent overhead irrigation and dense sowing raise humidity, increasing risk. Late sowing can coincide with weather conducive to disease, making prevention harder.