Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: Faster global connectivity is one of the reasons for the reemergence of certain plant diseases.
Reason R: The wheat blast outbreak in Bangladesh was attributed to the host jump from rice to wheat during 2016.

In light of the above statements, choose the correct 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 the correct explanation of A
• C. A is correct but R is not correct
• D. A is not correct but R is correct

Hint:

- Wheat blast is caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT).
- The 2016 Bangladesh outbreak was due to a physical introduction from South America, not a local host jump.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Global trade, rapid transport networks, and agricultural connectivity facilitate the transboundary movement of infected plant materials and pathogens, leading to epidemics in new regions.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
Assertion A:
Global connectivity has increased the speed and volume of international trade in seeds, tubers, and agricultural produce.
This acts as a primary pathway for the introduction and reemergence of plant pathogens (viruses, fungi, and bacteria) into regions where they were previously absent or controlled.
Thus, Assertion A is correct.
Reason R:
In 2016, Bangladesh suffered a sudden and devastating outbreak of wheat blast, affecting over 15,000 hectares of wheat.
Phylogenomic and surveillance studies conclusively demonstrated that the outbreak was caused by a lineage of Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) that was introduced into Bangladesh from South America (likely Brazil) through grain imports.
It was not caused by a host jump from local rice strains to wheat in Bangladesh.
Therefore, Reason R is scientifically incorrect.

Step 2: Final Answer:
Assertion A is correct, but Reason R is incorrect.
This corresponds to Option (C).