Which fungal disease spreads by seed and flowers?

Options

A. Loose smut of wheat
B. Corn smut
C. Covered smut and bariey
D. Soft rot of potato

Answer

To answer the question "Which fungal disease spreads by seed and flowers?", we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Fungal Diseases**: Begin by recognizing that fungal diseases are caused by fungi and can affect various plants, leading to crop destruction and reduced yields.

2. **Identifying the Options**: The options given are:
- Loose smut of wheat
- Corn smut
- Covered smut of barley
- Soft rot of potato

3. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Soft rot of potato**: This is not a fungal disease; it is caused by bacteria, so it can be eliminated.
- **Covered smut of barley**: Caused by the fungus Ustilago hordoyi, but it primarily affects the barley and does not spread through seeds and flowers in the same manner as loose smut.
- **Corn smut**: Caused by Ustilago maydis, it affects the above-ground parts of the corn plant but does not primarily spread through seeds.
- **Loose smut of wheat**: Caused by the fungus Ustilago tritici, this disease spreads through infected seeds to non-infected flowers. When the seeds germinate, the fungus becomes active and develops along with the growing plant.

4. **Conclusion**: The disease that spreads by seed and flowers is the **Loose smut of wheat**.

### Final Answer:
The fungal disease that spreads by seed and flowers is **Loose smut of wheat**.

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