Question

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
A. Flag smut of wheat – Ustilago nuda tritici
B. Karnal bunt of wheat – Tilletia barclayana
C. Brown rust of wheat – Puccinia recondite
D. Powdery mildew of wheat – Erysiphe graminis

Answer 1

Fungi constitute a kingdom of over 100,000 species. ‘They are achlorophyllous, heterotrophic, spore bearing, non-vascular eukaryotic organisms, which often contain fungus cellulose in their walls and possess glycogen as reserve food’. Branch of biology dealing with the study of fungi is known as mycology. They live as parasites, saprophytes or symbionts.

Complete answer:
Parasitic fungi cause diseases in economically important plants, animals and man. They are responsible for enormous agricultural losses every year. The branch of biology dealing with fungal diseases and disease causing fungi is known as fungal pathology.
Flag smut of wheat is caused by Urocystis agropyri. It needs a temperature (18-24ᵒC) for their growth. It can be seen on stem leaves from late seedling stage to their mature stage by this the twisting and drooping of leaves occurs.

Karnal bunt of wheat is caused by tilletia indica (barclayana). It needs a temperature (18-20ᵒC) and high soil moisture for their growth. This is as seed borne disease and sowing of seeds is the primary source.

Brown rust of wheat is caused by Puccinia recondite. It needs a temperature (20-25ᵒC) with free moisture for their optimal growth. It can be seen on upper leaf blades. Primary infections come from wind.

Powdery mildew of wheat is caused by Erysiphe graminis. It needs a temperature (20-21ᵒC). The white coloured and powdery patches can be seen on the upper surface of leaves, stem and floral parts. Later, it becomes black and causes drying of leaves and other parts of plants.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note:
Pathogenic fungi are that type of fungi that cause disease in human beings or other living organisms. 300 fungi are known to be harmful for humans. More fungi are known to be harmful to plant life than those of the animal kingdom.
The study of fungi and other living organisms that are pathogenic to plants is called plant pathology.