Sample interview questions: How do you assess the efficacy of different fungicides or pesticides against plant pathogens?
Sample answer:
Assessing the Efficacy of Fungicides and Pesticides against Plant Pathogens
1. Field Trials:
- Establish experimental plots with controlled conditions (e.g., crop type, pathogen, environmental factors).
- Apply fungicides or pesticides at predetermined rates and intervals.
- Monitor disease incidence, severity, and yield over time.
- Compare treated plots with untreated controls to evaluate efficacy.
2. Greenhouse Trials:
- Conduct controlled experiments in a greenhouse environment.
- Inoculate plants with specific pathogens.
- Apply fungicides or pesticides to assess their effects on disease development and plant health.
- Use statistical analysis to determine significant differences between treatments.
3. In Vitro Assays:
- Utilize laboratory methods to assess the direct effects of fungicides or pesticides on pathogen growth and development.
- Measure parameters such as germination, mycelial growth, and spore production in the presence of the ac… Read full answer