Which of the following was made resistant to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew by mutations?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Mung bean
Option (2) Mung bean — Correct. Of the options, only mung bean is the crop NCERT names for mutation breeding against these two diseases. Cowpea, cauliflower and chilli appear in its list of varieties bred by hybridisation and selection.
Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 26-05-2023 (Slot 3).
Note 2: This question is from Chapter 9, Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production, of the pre-rationalised NCERT book. This chapter is not in the present NCERT book (2026-27). The extract below is from the pre-rationalised edition.
NCERT Extract (Pre-rationalised edition, Chapter 9, Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production):
Plant Breeding for Disease Resistance – “… Mutation is the process by which genetic variations are created through changes in the base sequence within genes (see Chapter 5) resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type. It is possible to induce mutations artificially through use of chemicals or radiations (like gamma radiations), and selecting and using the plants that have the desirable character as a source in breeding – this process is called mutation breeding. In mung bean, resistance to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew were induced by mutations.”