Question

Which fungal disease spreads by seed and flowers :-

• A. Loose smut of wheat
• B. Corn smut
• C. Covered smut of Barley
• D. Soft rot of potato

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The given question asks which fungal disease spreads by seed and flowers. We need to identify the correct option from the provided list.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Loose Smut of Wheat:
   • This disease is caused by the fungus Ustilago tritici.
   • It primarily affects wheat and is known to spread through infected seeds.
   • The fungus survives in the seeds and infects the plant as it grows, particularly during the flowering stage.
   • The infected parts of the plant turn into a smut mass, releasing spores that further infect other plants.
   • This method of spreading, through seeds, makes it one of the major seed-borne diseases in wheat.
2. Corn Smut:
   • Caused by Ustilago maydis, it affects corn.
   • The spores, called teliospores, are mostly dispersed by wind and infect corn directly, not typically by seeds or flowers.
3. Covered Smut of Barley:
   • Caused by Ustilago hordei, it affects barley.
   • The fungus is mainly seed-borne but spreads internally and not through flowers.
4. Soft Rot of Potato:
   • This is not caused by a fungus but by bacteria, primarily Erwinia carotovora.
   • Thus, it does not spread by seeds or flowers.

Conclusion: Based on the above analysis, it is clear that the disease caused by the fungus Ustilago tritici, Loose Smut of Wheat, spreads by infected seeds and during flowering. Therefore, the correct answer is Loose Smut of Wheat.

Tip: Understanding the life cycle and mode of transmission of plant diseases can greatly aid in choosing the correct options in biology-related multiple-choice questions.