Question

A widely but periodically occurring plant disease is
A. Endemic
B. Pandemic
C. Sporadic
D. Epiphytotic

Answer 1

Hint: Plant disease is the disturbance in the normal state of a plant that interrupts its functioning. All plant species are subjected to the disease. Plant diseases are the result of pathogens and environmental conditions. Anything that inhibits a plant from performing to its maximum potential is known as plant disease. The most commonly occurring plant diseases caused by fungus are Sclerotinia, stem rust, and leaf rust. Symptoms of plant disease include a change in the shape, color, or function of the plant. Some plant diseases occur for a short period while some diseases remain permanently.

Complete answer:
Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi are responsible for various types of plant diseases.
In the plant populations, the study of diseases is called plant disease epidemiology.
Their classification is done based on symptoms, mode of infection, host plant, organ they attack, occurrence, and distribution.
Epiphytotic is categorized based on occurrence and distribution. It is defined as a disease that takes place periodically in serve form affecting a major area of crop.
For example, Late blight and Rust.
An endemic disease is a disease that exists permanently in a particular area.
A pandemic is an epidemic that occurs over a wide area or worldwide crossing international boundaries. It affects a large number of the population. For example, HIV/ AIDS pandemic.
Sporadic diseases are occasionally occurring in animal diseases. For example, rabies, plague, tetanus.
So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Additional Information:
Epiphytotic affect a large number of host plant populations, sometimes may occur across a wide area.
It occurs when a pathogen enters into an area where it had not previously existed.
This disease occurs in the same area every year.
Some plant varieties become resistant to previous pathogens. For example, oat varieties are resistant to rusts and smuts.
Examples of the epiphytotic disease are the late blight of potato, rice blast, wheat stem rust, the red rot of sugarcane, and downy mildew of grapevine.

Note:
Anything that inhibits a plant from performing to its maximum potential is known as plant disease. Plant diseases are the result of pathogens and environmental conditions. Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi are responsible for various types of plant diseases. In the plant populations, the study of diseases is called plant disease epidemiology. Their classification is done based on symptoms, mode of infection, host plant, organ they attack, occurrence, and distribution. Epiphytotic is categorized based on occurrence and distribution. It is defined as a disease that takes place periodically in serve form affecting a major area of crop. Some plant diseases occur for a short period while some diseases remain permanently.