Question

Match List-I with List-II
{ll} List-I (Book/Theory proposed/Characteristic, etc.) & List-II (Author/Thinker/Name of Theory, etc.)
(A) Tillet & (I) The Plume moth
(B) Growing of Tagetus & (II) Stinking smut of wheat
(C) Biffen & (III) American bollworm
(D) Pigeon pea & (IV) Genetics of plant disease resistance

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• (A) - (II), (B) - (III), (C) - (IV), (D) - (I)
• (A) - (IV), (B) - (III), (C) - (II), (D) - (I)
• (A) - (II), (B) - (III), (C) - (I), (D) - (IV)
• (A) - (IV), (B) - (II), (C) - (I), (D) - (III)

Hint:

- Rowland Biffen's rust inheritance work (1905) is the first proof of Mendelian inheritance for disease resistance.
- Tagetes (marigold) is a common trap crop used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control Helicoverpa armigera.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This matching question covers historical plant pathologists, ecological pest management (trap cropping), genetics of disease resistance, and crop-pest associations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us match each pair based on agricultural scientific history:
- (A) Tillet:
Mathieu Tillet published a landmark paper in 1755 showing that Stinking smut of wheat (caused by the fungus Tilletia caries/foetida) is infectious, demonstrating that dust from smutted seed can transmit the disease.
Thus, (A) matches with (II).
- (B) Growing of Tagetus (Marigold):
Tagetes (marigold) is grown alongside crops like tomato or cotton as a companion or trap crop.
Its bright flowers attract egg-laying adults of the American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), diverting the pest away from the main economic crop.
Thus, (B) matches with (III).
- (C) Biffen:
Sir Rowland Biffen demonstrated in 1905 that resistance to yellow rust in wheat is inherited as a Mendelian recessive character, laying the foundation for the "Genetics of plant disease resistance".
Thus, (C) matches with (IV).
- (D) Pigeon pea:
The Plume Moth (Exelastis atomosa) is a major insect pest of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan).
Its larvae feed on buds, flowers, and developing seeds inside the pods.
Thus, (D) matches with (I).
Matching summary:
(A) $\rightarrow$ (II), (B) $\rightarrow$ (III), (C) $\rightarrow$ (IV), (D) $\rightarrow$ (I).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A).