NEET2002ZoologyBiotechnology and Its ApplicationsActual
Which fungal disease spreads by seed and flowers?
Options
- ALoose smut of wheat
- BCorn stunt
- CCovered smut of barley
- DSoft rot of potato
Correct answer
A. Loose smut of wheat
Step-by-step solution
Loose smut of barley is caused by Ustilago nuda. It is a disease that can destroy a large proportion of a barley crop. Loose smut replaces grain heads with smut, or masses of spores which infect the open flowers of healthy plants and grow into the seed, without showing any symptoms. It is a seed borne disease; infection occurs during Loose Smut flowering through wind-borne spores. So, the correct answer is 'Loose smut of Wheat'.