Given below are two statements:
· Statement I: Berberis plant does not play any role in the perpetuation of Puccinia graminis sp. tritici.
· Statement II: Rust pathogens spread from plant to plant mostly by wind-blown spores.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

· Statement I: Incorrect. The Berberis plant (Barberry) serves as an alternate host for Puccinia graminis, the causal agent of stem rust in wheat. It plays a key role in the pathogen's life cycle.
· Statement II: Correct. Rust spores are typically dispersed by wind, allowing the disease to spread over large distances.
· Rust pathogens require both primary (wheat) and alternate (Berberis) hosts for completing their lifecycle.