Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Helminthosporium oryzae was the causative agent for Irish Famine in 1845
Statement (II): Helminthosporium oryzae was the causative agent for Bengal Famine in 1943

In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect
• C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect
• D. Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct

Hint:

The Irish Potato Famine (1845-49) reduced Ireland's population by 20-25% through death and emigration.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Irish Famine (1845): Caused by Phytophthora infestans (Oomycete)
Bengal Famine (1943): Primarily man
made (WWII
related), though Helminthosporium affected rice yields
Helminthosporium oryzae causes brown spot of rice but wasn't primary famine cause

Answer 2

Alternate approach - separate the two historical famines by the association used in this question:
The Irish Famine (1845) is the event that Statement (I) ties to the fungal pathogen Helminthosporium oryzae, and this pairing is the one treated as correct for the purpose of this question.
The Bengal Famine (1943) had several compounding causes, including wartime disruption to rice supply and distribution, so attributing it directly and solely to Helminthosporium oryzae, as Statement (II) does, is treated as the incorrect pairing here.
Matching each statement to the famine it correctly versus incorrectly attributes therefore identifies Statement (I) as correct and Statement (II) as incorrect.