Question

Early blight of potato is caused by
A. Phytophthora infestans
B. Penicillium notatum
C. Alteranaria solani
D. Cystopus candidus

Answer 1

Hint:- Potato is one of the main crops produced and for many this vegetable is a part of their day-to-day diet. Even though it grows underground, the potato is actually a modified stem called a tuber. Potatoes are perennial plants, cultivated in cooler climates. One of the challenges that the potato farmers come across is pest nuisance.

Complete Answer:-
Some of the organisms causing diseases in plants are given below:
Phytophthora infestans- This organism causes late blight in potatoes. It is also called water mould and it can also infect tomatoes. The organism thrives in moist and cold surroundings. Potatoes grown in such climates and controlling the population of this organism has become a major concern. The diseased plant shows blisters on the leaves that eventually rot. Affected stems of the plant also begin to rot while the potato will show brown spots all over it (even in the fleshy region).
Penicillium notatum- It is a fungus found in the soil and rotting vegetables. It does not really affect humans. However, it can affect individuals whose immunity is compromised.
Alteranaria solani- This organism causes early blight in potatoes as well as tomatoes. Like the above-mentioned organisms, Alteranaria solani is also a fungal pathogen. The spores of this organism are present in the potato and tomato fields. While the plant is growing, at any point it can be infected by this pathogen. The leaves show spots and the tuber shows black lesions that keep growing. A bulls-eye pattern is seen as the lesion grows.
Cystopus candidus- It is a pathogen that shows characteristics of a fungus and therefore is sometimes called a fungus. It causes white blisters on the plant that it infects. It is also known as white rust because of it.

The correct option is (C). Alteranaria solani causes early blight in potatoes.

Note:- In India, the agricultural department has been putting more emphasis on Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) based Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The program aims to encourage farmers to first carefully observe and record information regarding- the plant (plant length, number of pods present, etc.), the weather conditions, the pests, the predators that prey on these pests, etc. once that is done discussions is to be conducted to find out the best way to manage the pests as well as to increase the crop output. AESA based IPM is more of a scientific approach rather than just giving out pesticides to be used indiscriminately.