Question

Tundu disease of wheat is due to infection caused by
A. Nematode and fungi
B. Fungi and bacteria
C. Nematode and bacteria
D. Algae and fungi

Answer 1

Hint: Tundu disease is also known as yellow ear rot disease.

Complete answer:
The tundu disease or yellow ear rot disease of wheat is caused due to infection of a bacterial pathogen known as Clavibacter tritici in association with a nematode named Anguina tritici.
The bacteria show positive results to gram staining and hence are gram-positive bacteria, spherical, and possess a capsule.
In this disease, the seeds get infected with nematodes, and gall formation occurs which is responsible for the spreading of the disease.
Characteristics of the disease are as follows:
- Distortion and twisting of the earhead.
- Spikelets get rotten and yellow liquid oozes out from infected tissue.
It can be prevented by treatment with saltwater, dry cleaning, etc.

Additional Information:
Example of other diseases of wheat are as follows:
- Black Chaff Disease: It is caused by a bacteria known as Xanthomonas translucens. It is accelerated in wet and humid weather.
- Bacterial Leaf Blight: It is caused by a bacteria known as Pseudomonas.
- Wheat soil borne mosaic virus: It is a viral disease caused by the wheat yellow mosaic virus.
- Wheat streak mosaic virus disease causes mosaic streaking.

So, the correct answer is, “ Tundu disease of wheat is due to infection caused by nematodes and bacteria.”

Note: Tundu disease is mainly caused by the bacteria but It cannot infect the wheat plant without the help of nematodes. It is mainly a bacterial disease assisted by a nematode species. The nematode acts as a vector for the transmission of the bacteria.