NEETBotanyBiological Classification
Who discovered a new infectious agent smaller than viruses and causes potato spindle tuber disease?
Options
- AT.O. Diener
- BM.W. Beijerinck
- CW.M. Stanley
- DDmitri Ivanowsky
Correct answer
A. T.O. Diener
Step-by-step solution
In 1971, T.O. Diener discovered a new infectious agent that was smaller than viruses and caused potato spindle tuber disease. It was found to be a free RNA; it lacked the protein coat that is found in viruses, hence the name viroid. The RNA of the viroid was of low molecular weight.