Question

Mycoplasma causes a disease called
A) Tobacco wilt
B) Citrus canker
C) Apple fire blight
D) Little leaf disease

Answer 1

Hint: Mycoplasma is one of the smallest microorganisms.which is unable to create a cell wall at its outer cellular membrane.

Complete Answer:
- Little leaf is the disease caused by mycoplasma in plants like brinjal. This disease is transmitted by a minute insect known as leafhopper (Hishimonus phycitis) or hoppers. These insects are plant feeders that suck plant sap trees or other small plants.
- Due to this disease leaf size is reduced and becomes rosette in color. Leaves become short in size, soft, smooth and yellow in color. In India, many farmers face heavy economic loss due to this disease in brinjals.This disease does not let production of fruits in plants and if fruits are grown then their production is not good for consumption or marketing.

- In the countries where Ralstonia solanacearum is endemic it is a feared disease which can cause serious damage to tobacco and other crops.

- Citrus canker is a bacterial disease that causes lesions on the leaves, stems, and fruit of plants including citrus and other plants in the citrus family.

- Fire blight is a common and very destructive bacterial disease of apples and pears.

So the correct answer is D.”Little leaf disease”.

Note: Little leaf disease is caused by a plant pathogenic mollicute, Phytoplasma (earlier known as mycoplasma like organism or MLO).