Consider the following : 1. Birds 2. Dust blowing 3. Rain 4. Wind blow

Consider the following :
1. Birds
2. Dust blowing
3. Rain
4. Wind blowing

Which of the above spread plant diseases ?

1 and 3 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
All the listed items can act as vectors or facilitators in the spread of plant diseases. Birds can carry pathogens externally or internally. Dust particles in the air can transport fungal spores or bacteria. Rain splash can move pathogens from infected plant parts or soil to healthy tissues. Wind is a primary agent for the long-distance dispersal of airborne plant pathogens.
Plant diseases are spread by various means, including abiotic factors (wind, rain, dust) and biotic factors (insects, birds, other animals, human activities).
For example, birds can spread diseases like bacterial blight of coffee. Wind is crucial for spreading spores of rusts and powdery mildew. Rain splash helps in the spread of bacterial leaf spots and anthracnose. Dust storms can carry pathogens over vast areas.
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