Plant disease caused by fungi

Question

_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.