Rust and smut disease of plants are caused by fungi belonging to

Options

A. `{:("Rust","Smut"),("Puccinia","Ustilago"):}`Ascomycetes
B. `{:("Rust","Smut"),("Puccinia","Ustilago"):}` Basidiomycetes
C. `{:("Smut","Rust"),("Puccinia","Ustilago"):}` Basidiomycetes
D. `{:("Smut","Rust"),("Puccinia","Ustilago"):}` Ascomycetes

Answer

To solve the question regarding the causative agents of rust and smut diseases in plants, we can break down the information step by step:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Diseases**: The question mentions two specific diseases: rust and smut.

2. **Identify the Causative Agents**:
- **Rust Disease**: This disease is primarily caused by fungi belonging to the genus **Puccinia**. For example, **Puccinia graminis** is known to cause wheat rust.
- **Smut Disease**: This disease is caused by fungi of the genus **Ustilago**. An example is **Ustilago scitaminea**, which causes smut in sugarcane.

3. **Classify the Fungi**:
- Both **Puccinia** and **Ustilago** belong to the class **Basidiomycetes**. This class includes fungi that reproduce sexually via basidiospores.

4. **Select the Correct Option**: Based on the information gathered:
- Rust is caused by **Puccinia** (Basidiomycetes).
- Smut is caused by **Ustilago** (Basidiomycetes).
- Therefore, the correct answer is that both diseases are caused by fungi belonging to the class **Basidiomycetes**.

### Final Answer:
Rust and smut diseases of plants are caused by fungi belonging to the class **Basidiomycetes**.

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