Question

Loose smut of wheat, caused by Ustilago tritici, is distinctive among cereal smuts because of its unusual mode of infection. Which statement correctly describes this infection mechanism?

Q: Answer-Loose smut of wheat, caused by Ustilago tritici, is distinctive among cereal smuts because of its un...

Uniquely among smuts, Ustilago tritici infects the floral parts at flowering time, and the resulting mycelium remains dormant within the seed embryo, becoming active only when the infected seed germinates in the next season making seed treatment essential for control.

A Soil-borne infection occurring through germinating seedling roots

B Air-borne infection restricted to mature leaves only

C Infection occurs only through wounds in the stem tissue

D Seed-borne, embryo infection occurring at the time of flowering, with the fungus remaining dormant inside the seed embryo until the next germination

E Vector-transmitted through aphid feeding

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