Question

Which pathogen causes Tikka disease of groundnut?
A. Cercospora personata
B. Pyricularia Oryzae
C. Xanthomonas citri
D. Tungro Virus

Answer 1

Hint:Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is rich in protein, dietary fibres, fats etc. Tikka disease of groundnut is also referred to as “Leaf spot disease”. It infects the plant leaves by fungus and reduces yield and lowers nut quality.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse the options and find the correct answer:
>Option A: Tikka disease is caused by fungus belonging to genus cercospora. It belongs to phylum ascomycetes. There are two species of genus cercospora namely- Cercospora arachidicola and Cercospora personata. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Cercospora Arachidicola causes “Early leaf” spot disease and Cercospora personata causes “Late leaf” spot disease.
Cercospora personata has brown black colored mycelium, they contain haustoria, are unbranched and aseptate conidiophore. They are saprophytic and parasitic.
>Option B: Pyricularia Oryzae causes rice blast disease in rice, therefore, this is the incorrect option. It nearly causes 30% yield loss across the world.
>Option C: Xanthomonas citri is a bacteria and is responsible for causing citrus canker in citrus. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
>Option D: Tungro Virus affects the rice cultivation and causes rice tungro diseases. Therefore, this is the incorrect option. The virus uses leafhoppers as vectors for transmission of the disease.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A) Cercospora personata.

Note:Favorable factors for tikka disease are prolonged low temperature, usage of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and heavy dew.
>Fungicides like Bordeaux mixture are used to control tikka disease. Crop rotation can be the best method to prevent infection. Use of resistant varieties can be another best possible method.