Whitefly Woes in Cumin Quiz Quiz

Explore the key facts about whitefly infestations in cumin crops, their impacts, and effective management practices. This medium-level quiz covers identification, symptom recognition, life cycle, and control methods specific to cumin agriculture.

1. Whitefly Identification

   Which characteristic best helps to identify whiteflies on cumin plants in the field?

   1. Green, soft-bodied larvae boring into stems
   2. Shiny red beetles feeding on seeds
   3. Large black and yellow bugs near the roots
   4. Tiny white-winged insects on the undersides of leaves

   Explanation: Whiteflies on cumin are tiny, winged insects that congregate on the undersides of leaves. The other options describe different types of pests: shiny red beetles are not typical of whiteflies, green larvae boring into stems are usually stem borers, and large black and yellow bugs are not associated with whitefly infestations.

2. Symptoms of Whitefly Infestation

   What is a common symptom of whitefly infestation in cumin crops?

   1. Circular galls on roots
   2. Wilting stems at soil level
   3. Chewed holes along leaf edges
   4. Sticky honeydew and sooty mold on leaves

   Explanation: Whiteflies excrete honeydew, which leads to the growth of black sooty mold on cumin leaves. Chewed holes are more typical of caterpillars, wilting stems suggest root rot or wilt pathogens, and circular galls on roots are caused by nematodes, not whiteflies.

3. Whitefly Life Cycle

   During which life stage are whiteflies most responsible for transmitting plant viruses to cumin?

   1. Adult stage
   2. Larval stage
   3. Pupal stage
   4. Egg stage

   Explanation: Adult whiteflies are mobile and feed on the plant's phloem, transmitting viruses in the process. Eggs and pupae do not feed and therefore cannot transmit viruses. The larval (nymph) stage feeds but is less efficient in virus transmission compared to adults.

4. Impact of Whiteflies on Yield

   Why can a heavy whitefly infestation lead to reduced cumin yield and quality?

   1. They cut stems near the ground causing lodging
   2. They cause direct damage to roots by boring
   3. Their frass contaminates harvested seeds
   4. They suck sap, weaken plants, and promote virus spread

   Explanation: Whiteflies damage cumin by sucking sap, leading to weakened plants and facilitating virus transmission. They do not bore into roots (root borers do this), their excretions are honeydew not frass on seeds, and they do not cut stems like stem borers or cutworms.

5. Whitefly Management Practice

   What is one recommended strategy for managing whiteflies in cumin cultivation?

   1. Water the crop daily to wash away pests
   2. Transplant cumin seedlings at 30 cm instead of direct seeding
   3. Apply large doses of nitrogen fertilizer
   4. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce whitefly numbers

   Explanation: Yellow sticky traps are effective for monitoring and trapping adult whiteflies in cumin fields. Excess nitrogen can attract more pests, daily watering does not efficiently remove whiteflies, and cumin is usually direct-seeded; changing planting methods does not target whiteflies.