Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I : Late blight disease strikes potato crop during late stage only
Statement II : Early blight is caused by fungal pathogens
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is true

Hint:

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) strikes at any growth stage under cool, humid weather; Early blight is caused by the fungus Alternaria solani.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The terminology 'early' and 'late' in potato blights refers to historical disease phenology and temperature preferences rather than strict crop growth limitations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Statement I is INCORRECT: Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) can attack the potato crop at any vegetative growth stage whenever favorable environmental conditions (temperatures $12\text{--}22^\circ\text{C}$ and relative humidity $> 90\%$) occur.
2. Statement II is TRUE: Early blight of potato and tomato is caused by the fungus Alternaria solani (phylum Ascomycota), producing characteristic target-board concentric necrotic rings.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is true.