The molya disease of cereals is caused by

✅Explanation:
Heterodera avenae is the cereal cyst nematode (CCN), a plant-parasitic nematode that causes molya disease in cereal crops, primarily wheat and barley. The CCN is a sedentary endoparasite that invades the roots of cereal plants and establishes specialized feeding sites called syncytia. This feeding activity disrupts the plant's nutrient uptake and water transport, leading to stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and reduced yield.

• Related Terminologies:
Sedentary endoparasite: A parasite that lives inside the host (plant roots in this case) and remains stationary once it establishes a feeding site.
Syncytia: Specialized feeding sites formed by cyst nematodes within the plant roots.