Question

Vector of little leaf of brinjal is
A. Leafhopper
B. Whitefly
C. Plant hopper
D. Mealy bugs
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A only
• B. A and B only
• C. A and C only
• D. B and C only

Hint:

The little leaf of brinjal phytoplasma is transmitted by the leafhopper Hishimonus phycitis in a persistent-propagative manner.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Little leaf of brinjal is a destructive disease of eggplant (Solanum melongena).
It is caused by a phytoplasma, which is a wall-less, phloem-limited prokaryotic pathogen.
Phytoplasmas require sap-sucking insect vectors to transmit the infection between plants.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The phytoplasma that causes little leaf of brinjal is transmitted by a specific insect vector:
1. Vector Species: The disease is transmitted by the leafhopper Hishimonus phycitis (family Cicadellidae), which is a leafhopper (A).
2. Transmission Mechanism: The leafhopper acquires the phytoplasma while feeding on the phloem sap of infected plants.
The pathogen multiplies within the insect's body, migrates to the salivary glands, and is injected into healthy plants during subsequent feeding.
This persistent-propagative transmission mechanism is characteristic of phytoplasmas.
Other insect groups listed (whiteflies, planthoppers, and mealybugs) are not vectors for the little leaf of brinjal phytoplasma.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the vector of little leaf of brinjal is a leafhopper (A only).