Question

Powdery mildew of wheat is caused by-
A) Ustilage
B) Erysiphe
C) Albugo
D) Puccinia

Answer 1

Hint:Powdery mildew is a disease that affects a wide range of plants. It is caused by fungus. It is of different types, here we will specifically discuss powdery mildew of wheat which is caused by a fungus named Erysiphe graminis.

Complete answer:
Powdery mildew is a disease caused by fungi, it affects a wide range of plants. Powdery mildew is caused by different species of fungi of Erysiphales order. Erysiphe cichoracearum was formerly believed to be the primary organism causing powdery mildew throughout the world. Powdery mildew is considered easy as a plant disease to be identified, it has distinctive features. White powdery spots can be observed on the leaves and stems of infected plants. The spots are mostly seen on lower leaves, but it can appear on any part of the plant present above-ground. The spots get larger as the disease progresses, they get denser due to production of asexual spores in large quantity are formed, it is an infectious disease, it can spread through the whole length of the plant.

Environments with high humidity and moderate temperatures provide optimum conditions for development of powdery mildew. Even greenhouses provide an ideal moist, temperate environment for the development of this disease. Powdery mildew causes tremendous harm to agricultural and horticultural yield. Use of chemical methods, bio organic compounds, and genetic resistance provides control over the infection. The identification of powdery mildew and its treatment is necessary to prevent loss in yield.

Thus, the correct answer is- B. Erysiphe.

Note:Erysiphe is the causative organism of powdery mildew. Vitiligo causes loose smut. Albugo causes white rust while puccinia is a causative agent of stem or black rust.