Challenge your understanding of common arecanut diseases, symptoms, and management methods in horticulture. Expand your crop protection knowledge with these medium-difficulty scenario-based questions.
A grower notices yellowing of the leaves and stunted growth in their arecanut palms. Which disease is most likely responsible for these symptoms based on typical field reports?
Explanation: Yellow Leaf Disease commonly causes yellowing of foliage and stunted plant growth in arecanut palms. Bud Rot generally leads to rotting of the central shoot and wilting. Koleroga (or fruit rot) primarily affects immature nuts, while Barren Nut results in the production of shell without kernel development.
In humid conditions, a farmer observes that the spindle and young leaves of arecanut palms are collapsing and emitting a foul smell. Which disease should be suspected?
Explanation: Bud Rot is characterized by rotting of the spindle and young leaves, often with a foul odor, during high humidity. Yellow Leaf Disease does not cause tissue collapse, Charcoal Rot mainly affects the root zone, and Root Wilt results in yellowing rather than collapse of leaves.
A heavy monsoon results in premature nut drop with dark, water-soaked lesions on the arecanut fruit. Which pathogen is most often associated with this disease, known as Koleroga?
Explanation: Koleroga is caused by Phytophthora spp., especially during rainy seasons. Fusarium oxysporum commonly causes vascular wilts, Ganoderma lucidum is associated with basal stem rot, and Ralstonia solanacearum is usually linked to bacterial wilt, not fruit rot in arecanut.
Which management practice is most effective for controlling Koleroga (fruit rot) in arecanut plantations?
Explanation: Applying Bordeaux mixture, a copper-based fungicide, is an effective strategy against fruit rot (Koleroga). Increased irrigation can exacerbate disease spread, applying only nitrogen does not target the pathogen, and pruning by itself is not sufficient for disease control.
If an arecanut palm regularly bears nuts with shells but little or no kernel inside, which physiological disorder does this indicate?
Explanation: Barren Nut disorder leads to the formation of nuts without proper kernel development. Yellow Leaf Disease mainly affects foliage, Red Leaf Spot is a leaf disease, and Koleroga primarily affects immature fruits, causing rot rather than empty nut formation.