Plant Pathology Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts in plant pathology, providing definitions and explanations essential for understanding plant diseases and their management.

Phytopathology

The science and art of understanding the nature and causes of plant diseases, their characteristics, and factors affecting disease development.

Disease Triangle

A fundamental concept in plant pathology consisting of three essential factors: Susceptible Host, Virulent Pathogen, and Favorable Environment.

Aflatoxins

Toxins produced by Aspergillus flavus; causes aflatoxicosis and is harmful when accumulated in the body.

Ergotism

A disease caused by Claviceps purpurea leading to symptoms such as gangrene.

Phytophthora infestans

The oomycete responsible for the Irish potato famine, known for causing potato late blight.

Hemileia vastatrix

The fungus that causes coffee rust, devastating coffee crops.

Plasmopara viticola

The obligate parasite responsible for downy mildew in grapes.

Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici

The fungus responsible for stem rust in wheat.

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense

The soil-borne fungus responsible for Panama disease in bananas.

Hypersensitive Response (HR)

A rapid plant defense mechanism where cells around the infection site die to prevent pathogen spread.

Virulence

The degree to which a pathogen can incite a disease.

Pathogenicity

The capability of a pathogen to cause disease.

Saprophyte

An organism that uses dead organic or inorganic material for food.

Obligate parasite

An organism that can grow and multiply only on living things.

Facultative parasite

A saprophyte that can also become a parasite.

Symptoms

The external and internal manifestations of a disease in a plant.

Nematodes

Unsegmented worms that can be plant parasitic, affecting roots and causing various diseases.

Koch’s postulates

A set of four rules used to prove the pathogenicity of pathogens.

Monocycle

One complete disease cycle within a growing season.

Polycycle

Multiple disease cycles occurring in one growing season or year.

Damping-off

The rotting of seedlings prior to emergence, often caused by various pathogens.

Corm rot

A disease affecting the corm of certain plants, leading to collapse.

Fungal spores

Reproductive units of fungi that can be asexual (e.g., conidia) or sexual (e.g., ascospores).

Fungicides

Chemicals used to kill or inhibit the growth of fungi responsible for plant diseases.

Viroids

Stable, free-living, circular single-stranded RNA that can cause diseases in plants.

Fastidious bacteria

Bacteria that cannot be grown in simple media and often require specific conditions or hosts.

Agrobacterium

A genus of bacteria known for causing crown gall disease in various plants.

Transmission methods of viruses

Includes mechanical transmission, insect vectors, seeds, and vegetative propagation.