Which one of the following matches is correct?
- Mucor – Reproduction by conjugation – Ascomycetes
- Agaricus – Parasitic fungus – Basidiomycetes
- Phytophthora – Aseptate mycelium – Basidiomycetes
- Alternaria – Sexual reproduction absent – Deuteromycetes
Answer
(4) Alternaria – Sexual reproduction absent – Deuteromycetes
Solution
As per NCERT, the members of Deuteromycetes are called imperfect fungi because only their asexual or vegetative phases are known (sexual reproduction absent), e.g. Alternaria, Colletotrichum and Trichoderma.
In (1), Mucor reproduces sexually by conjugation but belongs to Phycomycetes, not Ascomycetes.
In (2), Agaricus (mushroom) is a Basidiomycete, but it is a saprophyte, not a parasite.
In (3), Phytophthora has aseptate mycelium but is placed in Phycomycetes, not Basidiomycetes.
∴ Only Alternaria – sexual reproduction absent – Deuteromycetes is correctly matched.
Answer: (4)