Question

Plant disease caused by fungi
_Fungi

Answer 1

Fungal diseases are a significant concern in agriculture, causing substantial losses to crops. Here are some common plant diseases caused by fungi:

1. **Powdery Mildew**:
- **Causative Agent**: Various species of fungi, primarily from the genus *Erysiphe*.
- **Symptoms**: White, powdery growth on leaves, stems, and buds; leaf distortion and yellowing can also occur.

2. **Rusts**:
- **Causative Agent**: Fungi in the order *Pucciniales* (e.g., *Puccinia* species).
- **Symptoms**: Brown, orange, or yellow pustules on leaves, stems, and fruits; often leads to leaf drop and reduced vigor.

3. **Blights**:
- **Causative Agent**: Various fungi, such as *Alternaria*, *Botrytis*, and *Septoria*.
- **Symptoms**: Rapid wilting and browning of leaves or stems; necrotic lesions; can affect various plant parts.

4. **Root Rot**:
- **Causative Agent**: Fungi like *Phytophthora*, *Fusarium*, and *Pythium*.
- **Symptoms**: Blackened, decaying roots; stunted growth; yellowing and wilting of the plant; often occurs in waterlogged soils.

5. **Late Blight**:
- **Causative Agent**: *Phytophthora infestans*.
- **Symptoms**: Dark, water-soaked lesions on leaves and stems; brownish-black lesions on fruit; can cause total crop loss, especially in potatoes and tomatoes.

6. **Leaf Spot**:
- **Causative Agent**: Fungi like *Cercospora*, *Colletotrichum*, and others.
- **Symptoms**: Small, dark spots on leaves; spots may enlarge and lead to leaf drop; reduced photosynthesis and vigor.

7. **Crown and Root Rot**:
- **Causative Agent**: Fungi such as *Rhizoctonia* and *Sclerotinia*.
- **Symptoms**: Brown or black rot at the base of stems; wilting and stunted growth; can lead to plant death.

8. **Damping-off**:
- **Causative Agent**: Several fungi, including *Pythium* and *Rhizoctonia*.
- **Symptoms**: Seedlings fails to emerge, or they collapse after germination; caused by overwatering or poor soil conditions.

9. **Scabs**:
- **Causative Agent**: Fungi such as *Streptomyces* and *Cladosporium*.
- **Symptoms**: Rough, crusty lesions on tubers (e.g., potatoes) or fruits; reduces quality and marketability.

10. **Fusarium Wilt**:
- **Causative Agent**: *Fusarium oxysporum*.
- **Symptoms**: Yellowing and wilting of leaves, often starting with the lower leaves; vascular discoloration inside stems.

### Management Practices
To manage fungal diseases, several strategies can be employed:

- **Cultural Practices**: Crop rotation, proper spacing, and sanitation can help reduce fungal spread.
- **Resistant Varieties**: Planting resistant crop varieties can minimize disease impact.
- **Chemical Control**: Fungicides may be used as a last resort, following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
- **Proper Irrigation**: Avoiding excessive moisture can reduce root rot and other fungal diseases.

Effective management combines these strategies to reduce the impact of fungal diseases on crops.