Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Wheat blast is an emerging, highly destructive fungal disease of wheat crops that can cause complete crop loss under favorable weather conditions.
Understanding the causal organism, host tissues affected, and geographical spread is essential for managing this disease and protecting global food security.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each of the given statements:
Statement (A) is incorrect: Puccinia graminis is the causal agent of stem rust of wheat, which is a structurally and biologically distinct fungal disease characterized by rusty pustules on stems and leaves.
Statement (B) is incorrect: Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, which also bleaches heads but is a different disease characterized by mycotoxin accumulation.
Statement (C) is correct: Wheat blast is caused by the ascomycete fungus Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (abbreviated as MoT).
This pathogen was first identified in Brazil in 1985 and remained restricted to South America for decades until a major outbreak occurred in Bangladesh in 2016, marking its introduction to Asia.
Statement (D) is correct: The most diagnostic symptom of wheat blast is the premature bleaching of the wheat spikes (heads) and panicles.
The fungus infects the rachis of the spike, blocking the transport of water and nutrients, which leaves the spikelets above the infection point sterile and bleached.
Thus, only statements (C) and (D) are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the correct option is (A).