Question

Rice dwarfing disease is caused by

• A. Virus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Nutrient deficiency
• D. Nematode

Hint:

To manage ______Rice dwarf virus (RDV)______, focus on controlling the population of its insect vector, the ______green rice leafhopper______, using systematic insecticides or cultivating resistant rice cultivars.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Rice dwarf disease is a destructive disease affecting rice crops, particularly in Asian countries.
It causes severe stunting of the plant, excessive tillering, and white/chlorotic specks on the leaves, leading to massive yield losses.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Rice dwarf disease is caused by the ______Rice dwarf virus (RDV)______, which is a double-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Phytoreovirus in the family Reoviridae.
The virus is not transmitted through seed, soil, or mechanical contact.
Instead, it is transmitted in a persistent, propagative manner by insect vectors.
The primary vectors are leafhoppers, most notably the green rice leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps) and the zig-zag leafhopper (Recilia dorsalis).
The disease is characterized by stunted (dwarf) growth, leaves turning dark green with fine chlorotic specks, and a failure of the plants to produce fertile panicles.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Rice dwarfing disease is caused by a virus, which corresponds to option (A).