SEM 3 – Internal Exam SMD

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SHORT TYPE QUESTIONS


  • Definition:
    Septate mycelium refers to fungal hyphae divided into distinct compartments or cells by cross-walls called septa. Each septum contains a small pore, which allows the movement of nutrients, organelles, and cytoplasm between the cells, ensuring cellular communication and efficient nutrient distribution.
  • Characteristics:
  • Septa act like partial partitions, preventing the entire mycelium from being affected if one section is damaged.
  • Pores in septa facilitate cytoplasmic flow while compartmentalizing the fungal structure.
  • Examples:
  • Found in Ascomycetes (e.g., Penicillium and Aspergillus) and Basidiomycetes (e.g., Agaricus or mushrooms).
  • Importance:
  • The septate structure provides strength to the fungus and enables differentiation of specific regions in the fungal hyphae.
  • It helps the organism survive injury or stress, as individual sections can remain functional even if part of the mycelium is damaged.

  • Introduction:
    Alternaria is a genus of ascomycete fungi that reproduces primarily through asexual reproduction. It causes leaf spot diseases in crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, and brassicas.
  • Process of Asexual Reproduction:
  1. Conidiophore Formation:
    • The fungus produces specialized stalk-like structures called conidiophores on the surface of the host plant.
  2. Conidia Development:
    • Conidia are produced at the tips of conidiophores. These conidia are multicellular, dark-colored, and often have transverse and longitudinal septa.
    • Conidia are resistant to environmental stress and facilitate the spread of the fungus.
  3. Dispersal:
    • Conidia are dispersed by wind, rainwater, or mechanical contact and reach new plants or plant parts.
  4. Germination:
    • When the conidia land on a suitable surface under favorable conditions, they germinate and form new fungal colonies, initiating infection.
  • Significance:
  • Asexual reproduction allows Alternaria to spread quickly over large areas, leading to rapid outbreaks of crop diseases.

The life cycle of Albugo candida (the causal agent of white rust) consists of both asexual and sexual phases.

1. Asexual Reproduction:

  • Infection Initiation:
  • The fungus produces sporangia on the surface of infected plant tissues, particularly leaves and stems. These sporangia form white pustules, which give the disease its name.
  • Sporangia Dispersal:
  • Sporangia are dispersed by wind or water splashes.
  • Zoospore Release:
  • Under moist conditions, sporangia release zoospores (motile spores) that swim to the plant surface.
  • Infection and Colonization:
  • Zoospores penetrate the plant tissue through stomata or wounds, infecting the host and developing new fungal colonies.

2. Sexual Reproduction:

  • Formation of Gametangia:
  • During unfavorable conditions, the fungus forms oogonia (female structures) and antheridia (male structures) inside the plant tissue.
  • Fertilization:
  • The antheridium fertilizes the oogonium, leading to the formation of a thick-walled oospore (a dormant spore).
  • Germination:
  • Once conditions improve, the oospore germinates and produces new sporangia, restarting the asexual phase of the life cycle.

Significance:

  • The dual reproductive strategy allows the fungus to spread quickly and survive unfavorable conditions, making it a persistent problem in cruciferous crops.

  • Introduction:
    Red Root disease is a fungal disease of sugarcane caused by various fungi, including Pythium species and Fusarium. It primarily affects the roots, leading to poor plant development and reduced yields.

Symptoms:

  1. Red Discoloration:
  • The infected roots show reddish or brown discoloration, especially on the inner tissues.
  1. Stunted Growth:
  • Infected plants exhibit poor growth due to impaired nutrient and water absorption.
  1. Root Rot:
  • Severely infected roots begin to rot, further reducing the plant’s ability to anchor and take up nutrients.

Causal Agents:

  • The disease is caused by soil-borne fungi such as Pythium arrhenomanes or Fusarium species that thrive in waterlogged or poorly drained soils.

Control Measures:

  1. Crop Rotation:
  • Avoiding continuous sugarcane cultivation helps reduce the fungal population in the soil.
  1. Proper Drainage:
  • Ensuring good field drainage reduces fungal growth.
  1. Use of Fungicides:
  • In severe cases, applying appropriate fungicides to the soil can control the disease.
  1. Healthy Seedlings:
  • Using disease-free planting material ensures healthy crop establishment.

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