Classification of Plant Diseases

Bacteriology / Endemic / Epidemic / Mycology / Nematology / Plant Disease / Plant Pathology / Sporadic / Symptom / Virology

Diseases in plants can be caused by a number of pathogens and almost all plant species. Therefore, it is difficult to classify plant disease based on one factor only. So plant diseases can be classified in many ways based on the factors involved in the disease inciting (viz., susceptible host, parasite and environment). Plant diseases can be classified as;

Leaf yellowing of Malvastrum sp. (viral disease)

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Plant Disease Inciting Agents

Bacteriology / Mollicutes / Mycology / Nematology / Plant Disease / Plant Pathology / Virology

The plants in nature are exposed to a number of parasites and pathogens. The distinction of parasite and pathogen must be very clear in mind before distinguishing disease causing organisms from other micro organisms living on and getting nutrition from the host. 

Grass smut grown on MEA medium

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Introduction and History of Plant Pathology

Definition / History of Plant Pathology / Plant Disease / Plant Pathology / Symptom / Timeline / Viroid / Virology

Plant Pathology is a practical discipline which focuses on the study of the diseases of plants, disease causing organisms, the mechanisms by which they cause disease and ways to manage or control these diseases and minimize the damage caused to plants.

Every year around 40 percent of world food is lost due to disease, post-harvest losses, insects and weeds. And out of these around 14.1 percent losses are due to plant diseases. This ratio may seem small but the losses account about 220 billion US dollars annually (according to a 2003 survey).

Root galls due to nematode infection

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