Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Sugary disease of sorghum is caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi
Reason (R): Rain splashes help in spreading the sugary disease of sorghum
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct.

Hint:

- Sorghum Ergot Sugary Disease = Claviceps sorghi (transmitted by insects and rain splashes).
- Sorghum Downy Mildew = Peronosclerospora sorghi (systemic oomycete pathogen).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is affected by various fungal pathogens during its growth stages, which must be identified correctly based on their scientific names and epidemiological spread mechanisms.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Assertion (A):
Sugary disease of sorghum (commonly known as Ergot) is caused by the fungal pathogen Claviceps sorghi (or its asexual stage Sphacelia sorghi).
The pathogen Peronosclerospora sorghi is actually the causal organism of Sorghum Downy Mildew, not sugary disease.
Therefore, Assertion (A) is incorrect (false).
- Reason (R):
Sugary disease infects the ovaries of sorghum flowers, producing a sticky, sugary pinkish-to-brown liquid (honeydew) containing millions of conidia.
Rain splashes, along with wind and insect vectors, play a major role in spreading this honeydew and conidia to healthy flowers within the field.
Therefore, Reason (R) is correct (true).
Thus, Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D), as (A) is false and (R) is true.