Question

Dodder can transmit

• A. Mycoplasmal diseases
• B. Viral diseases
• C. Bacterial
• D. Both A and B

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Both A and B

Dodder is the common name for the stem parasite plant Cuscuta. It derives its nutrition by forming haustorial connections with the host plant. Dodder can transmit mycoplasmal and viral diseases from one plant to other because of its haustorial connections. Unlike bacterial diseases, mycoplasmal diseases and viral diseases are transmitted through cell sap and not by just any part of plant. As the parasitic plant derives its nutrition by absorbing through haustoria in plants, a plasmodesmatal connection is formed through which virus and mycoplasma can be easily transmitted.

So, the correct answer is D.