1) How Important Are Plant Diseases?

a) Disease is a constant

b) Cropping systems must have ecological balance

c) Over time disease may become more of a problem

 

2) Know the Diseases of Your Crops

a) Learn the diseases in your region

b) Learn the diseases of your customers

c) In what seasons do they occur?

d) What is their main source of inoculum?

e) Are they seed borne?

 

3) Can you make progress in selecting for resistance in a crop of interest?

a) Trial to discover differences in resistance

b) Can you clearly discern differences?

c) Does resistance exist in desirable germplasm?

d) Will you need to make crosses?

 

4) Do You Have Disease Nursery Potential On Your Farm?

a) Is the disease a "constant" on-farm?

b) If not, can you make it a constant?

i) no rotation
ii) poor cultural practices
iii) add irrigation / misters
iv) innoculate