Termite Troubles in Wheat Quiz Quiz

Assess your understanding of effective termite pest management in wheat cultivation with these medium-difficulty questions. Explore best practices, identification tips, and the impact of termite infestation on wheat crops.

1. Identifying a Termite Infestation

   Which of the following is a key visual sign of termite infestation in a standing wheat crop?

   1. Presence of mud tubes at the plant base
   2. Sticky honeydew drops
   3. Powdery white fungal growth
   4. Yellow striping on leaves

   Explanation: Termites often leave mud tubes or earthen tunnels at the base of wheat plants as they move between soil and plant. Yellow striping on leaves is usually associated with viral or nutrient issues. Powdery white fungal growth points to fungal diseases, while sticky honeydew is produced by sap-feeding insects like aphids.

2. Impact of Termites on Wheat Yield

   Why can termite infestation significantly reduce wheat yields, especially in dryland areas?

   1. They promote seed shattering
   2. They cause rapid leaf yellowing
   3. They feed on and hollow out plant stems
   4. They block photosynthesis

   Explanation: Termites damage wheat by eating and hollowing out stems, which causes plant weakening or collapse. Blocking photosynthesis and causing leaf yellowing are more related to foliar pests or diseases. Seed shattering is a loss mechanism but not typically caused by termites.

3. Best Cultural Practice

   Which cultural practice most effectively reduces termite risk before sowing wheat?

   1. Deep ploughing to expose and destroy termite colonies
   2. Overwatering the field
   3. Delaying sowing until late winter
   4. Skipping fertilizer application

   Explanation: Deep ploughing exposes termite colonies to sunlight and predators, decreasing their numbers. Skipping fertilizer harms crop health, overwatering can worsen other issues, and delaying sowing can reduce yields rather than termite risk.

4. Chemical Control Method

   Which chemical method is most commonly recommended for protecting wheat seeds from termite attack during sowing?

   1. Spraying fungicides on leaves
   2. Applying herbicides to the soil
   3. Seed treatment with recommended systemic insecticides
   4. Dusting crop with sulfur powders

   Explanation: Treating seeds with approved systemic insecticides offers plant protection against termites from germination. Fungicides target fungal diseases, sulfur is for mites or fungal control, and herbicides address weeds, not pests.

5. Influence of Crop Residues

   Why is it important to remove or properly incorporate crop residues when managing termites in wheat fields?

   1. Residues block sunlight for germinating wheat
   2. Residues attract pollinator insects
   3. Residues increase nitrogen fixation
   4. Crop residues provide shelter and food for termites

   Explanation: Termites thrive in areas with abundant plant residue as it serves as food and shelter. While residues can influence soil nutrients, their primary issue regarding termites is that they support pest survival; they do not directly enhance nitrogen fixation, block sunlight, or attract pollinators relevant to wheat.