Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement MCQs January 8, 2026August 19, 2024 by u930973931_answers 39 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/39 Subscribe 1. What is forest pathology? (A) The study of tree diseases and their management (B) The study of forest ecosystems (C) The study of forest management techniques (D) The study of forest biodiversity 2. Which pathogen is commonly known to cause “Dutch elm disease”? (A) Ceratocystis ulmi (B) Phytophthora infestans (C) Fusarium oxysporum (D) Armillaria mellea 3. What is a common symptom of tree decline due to fungal infection? (A) Root rot (B) Leaf drop (C) All of the above (D) Needle discoloration 4. Which fungal disease affects the vascular system of trees, causing wilting and death? (A) Powdery mildew (B) Root rot (C) Verticillium wilt (D) Rust 5. Which of the following is NOT a common method of controlling forest pathogens? (A) Chemical fungicides (B) Biological control (C) Genetic resistance (D) Increasing humidity 6. Which pathogen is responsible for causing “black knot” disease in trees? (A) Plasmopara viticola (B) Phytophthora ramorum (C) Puccinia graminis (D) Apiosporina morbosa 7. What is a common symptom of “powdery mildew” in trees? (A) Root rot and yellowing leaves (B) Dark, sunken lesions on bark (C) White, powdery spots on leaves (D) Wilting and dieback 8. Which method involves using other organisms to control forest pathogens? (A) Chemical control (B) Mechanical control (C) Cultural practices (D) Biological control 9. What is the primary mode of transmission for “rust” fungi in forests? (A) Soil (B) Airborne spores (C) Water (D) Insect vectors 10. Which pathogen causes “Sudden Oak Death”? (A) Fusarium solani (B) Phytophthora ramorum (C) Armillaria ostoyae (D) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus 11. Which disease is characterized by “white rot” of the wood in trees? (A) Fomes fomentarius (B) Red heart rot (C) Polyporus dry rot (D) Armillaria root rot 12. Which of the following is a common fungal pathogen that causes “needle cast” in conifers? (A) Lophodermium spp. (B) Cronartium spp. (C) Phytophthora spp. (D) Scleroderma spp. 13. What is the primary characteristic of “root rot” diseases? (A) Wilting of leaves (B) Discoloration of needles (C) Sunken lesions on bark (D) Decay and death of roots 14. Which forest pathogen is known for causing “cankers” on trees? (A) Ceratocystis ulmi (B) Puccinia spp. (C) Phytophthora cinnamomi (D) Sphaeropsis sapinea 15. Which tree disease is typically associated with “heart rot”? (A) Quercus robur (B) Pinus sylvestris (C) Pseudotsuga menziesii (D) Fagus sylvatica 16. What is a common sign of “bacterial blight” in trees? (A) Yellowing and curling of leaves (B) White, powdery mildew (C) Root decay and wilting (D) Necrotic leaf spots and galls 17. Which disease is caused by the pathogen “Fusarium oxysporum”? (A) Fusarium wilt (B) Dutch elm disease (C) Sudden Oak Death (D) Black knot 18. What is the main purpose of “cultural control” in managing forest pathogens? (A) To use chemicals to eradicate pathogens (B) To create environmental conditions unfavorable to pathogens (C) To introduce beneficial microorganisms (D) To genetically modify trees for resistance 19. Which pathogen causes “Phytophthora root rot” in trees? (A) Armillaria mellea (B) Fusarium solani (C) Phytophthora cinnamomi (D) Pythium spp. 20. Which type of control method involves physical removal of infected plant parts? (A) Biological cQ1: What is the primary goal of tree improvement programs? (B) Chemical control (A) To increase the aesthetic value of forests (B) To enhance the growth and quality of timber (C) To conserve endangered species (D) To increase the biodiversity of forests 21. Which technique is commonly used in tree breeding to select superior individuals? (A) Random mating (B) Cross-pollination (C) Selection and testing (D) Clone propagation 22. What is the primary method used to evaluate the genetic gain in tree breeding programs? (A) Visual assessment (B) Statistical analysis (C) Field trials (D) Molecular markers 23. Which of the following is a method used to improve the genetic diversity of a tree population? (A) Cross-breeding (B) Inbreeding (C) Clonal propagation (D) Genetic drift 24. What does “phenotypic selection” refer to in tree improvement? (A) Selecting trees based on their genetic makeup (B) Selecting trees based on observable traits (C) Selecting trees based on their reproductive success (D) Selecting trees based on their age 25. Which term describes the transfer of genes between different species or genera? (A) Hybridization (B) Genetic drift (C) Gene transfer (D) Gene flow 26. What is a “provenance” in the context of forest genetics? (A) A specific geographic location from which trees originate (B) A variety of a tree species (C) A genetic modification technique (D) A method of forest management 27. Which technique involves using molecular markers to assess genetic variation? (A) Gene cloning (B) DNA fingerprinting (C) Tissue culture (D) Hybrid vigor 28. What does “hybrid vigor” or heterosis refer to? (A) Increased growth and yield in hybrid offspring (B) Decreased disease resistance in hybrid trees (C) Reduced genetic diversity in hybrid populations (D) Stabilization of tree traits over generations 29. Which type of forest management focuses on the sustainable use of genetic resources? (A) Silviculture (B) Genetic conservation (C) Agroforestry (D) Reforestation 30. What is the purpose of using clonal forestry in tree improvement? (A) To promote genetic diversity (B) To conserve rare tree species (C) To increase seed production (D) To produce uniform and high-quality timber 31. Which process involves growing trees from seeds collected from selected parent trees? (A) Clonal propagation (B) Tissue culture (C) Seed orchards (D) Micropropagation 32. In tree breeding, what is the term for a group of trees with a common origin and similar genetic characteristics? (A) Clone (B) Provenance (C) Cultivar (D) Seed lot 33. What is the primary benefit of using genetic markers in tree breeding programs? (A) To enhance disease resistance (B) To increase the growth rate of trees (C) To improve the wood quality (D) To identify trees with specific traits 34. What is the role of “genetic conservation” in forest management? (A) To improve timber quality (B) To increase tree growth rates (C) To maintain and protect genetic diversity (D) To select trees for commercial purposes 35. Which term describes the practice of planting trees in a specific arrangement to maximize growth and yield? (A) Silviculture (B) Forest thinning (C) Tree spacing (D) Agroforestry 36. What is the primary goal of using “genetic improvement” techniques in forestry? (A) To improve the growth and productivity of trees (B) To increase the resilience of trees to pests and diseases (C) To enhance the aesthetic value of forests (D) To conserve rare and endangered tree species 37. Which technique involves growing trees from single cells or tissues in a controlled environment? (A) Seed propagation (B) Clonal propagation (C) Tissue culture (D) Genetic modification 38. What is the main advantage of using genetically improved trees in commercial forestry? (A) Higher wood quality and productivity (B) Increased genetic diversity (C) Reduced growth rates (D) Greater disease susceptibility 39. Which factor is NOT commonly considered in the selection of parent trees for breeding programs? (A) Growth rate (B) Disease resistance (C) Aesthetic appearance (D) Wood quality (C) Mechanical control (D) Cultural control