Plant pathology link: Members of the Basidiomycetes include important plant parasites capable of causing which diseases?

Introduction / Context:
Basidiomycetes comprise a diverse group including mushrooms and several plant-pathogenic lineages. Recognizing which diseases they cause helps in agronomy and plant pathology.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Rusts (Puccinia, Uromyces) and smuts (Ustilago, Tilletia) are basidiomycetes.
• Candidiasis is caused by Candida (Ascomycota).
• Ergot is caused by Claviceps (Ascomycota).
• Dutch elm disease and chestnut blight are caused by ascomycete fungi.

Concept / Approach:
Match each disease to the correct fungal division. Rusts and smuts are hallmark basidiomycete plant diseases, whereas candidiasis and ergot belong to ascomycetes; Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma) and chestnut blight (Cryphonectria) are also ascomycetes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
List diseases with their causative genera. Identify which belong to Basidiomycota. Select “rust and smut diseases.” Exclude ascomycete-caused diseases.

Verification / Alternative check:
Life cycles of rusts and smuts feature basidiospores and specialized infection structures typical of basidiomycetes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Candidiasis/Ergot: Ascomycetous pathogens.
• Dutch elm & chestnut blight: Also ascomycetes.
• Powdery mildew: Erysiphales (Ascomycota).

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming all major plant fungi are basidiomycetes; many are ascomycetes.

Final Answer:
rust and smut diseases.