Introduction to Plant Pathology
Abstract
Plant pathology is a branch of study that deals with the interaction between pathogens and plants.
It could be referred to as phytopathology. This study also involves the disease pathogenic
identification and classification, disease cycles, plant disease epidemiology, disease resistance,
and the effects of diseases on humans and other organisms. Monitoring plant health and
diagnosing different plant diseases is essential to control the diseases in agriculture. Technology
advances in terms of computer vision techniques have made the disease monitoring and study of
pathogenic conditions in plants easier.
It is study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens and environment conditions. The causal
agent may be a fungus, bacterium , virus or parasitic flowering plant. It deals with cause, control
and prevention of plant diseases at in vitro as well as field level. Plant pathology began with
Theophrastus in the ancient era, when he studied plant diseases in field and influence of
environment on disease development. The scientific approach to plant pathology began with the
Early Modern period with the invention of microscope by Leeuwenhoek. Since then, with the
advent of technologies new discoveries are being made which helps us prevent these diseases,
which have a potential to cause famines and widespread epidemics and lead to heavy economic
losses.
Introduction
Plant pathology is a science that studies plant diseases and attempts to improve the chances for
survival of plants when they are faced with unfavorable environmental conditions and parasitic
microorganisms that cause disease. Plant pathology is challenging, interesting, important, and
worth studying in its own right. It is also, however, a science that has a practical and noble goal
of protecting the food available for humans and animals.
The term Plant Pathology has been derived from three greek words
Phytopathology = Phyto + Pathos + logus
↓ ↓ ↓
Plant Ailments Knowledge
, Father of Plant Pathology is Anton de Bary
A plant becomes diseased when abiotic (environmental) or biotic factors interfere with these
essential normal functions. Plant pathology investigates and describes the pathogens; the plant–
pathogen interactions; the damage caused (symptoms); why the plant fails to reach its genetic
potential, does not grow normally, or produces lower or inferior quality harvests. Plant pathology
also studies diseases that affect the quality and safety of foods. It also investigates how plants
interact with pathogenic microbes and defend themselves against infection; and how this
knowledge can be used to improve their resistance. Plant pathology does not deal with injury or
damage caused to plants by weeds, insects, and mites and by other herbivore animals, or by
humans.
History
1) Iris Famine : 1845
Occurred due to the late blight of Potato . This disease destroyed the entire crop of
the potato .
In Ireland 20L peoples died due to the starvation .
2) Coffee Rust : 1867
Occurred in Sri-Lanka due to Hemilia vestericola.
3) Downy Mildew of grapes in France
It was caused by Plasmapora viticola.
The disease spread rapidly across France, destroying vineyards and causing
significant damage to the European wine industry.
In 1885, a mixture of copper, lime, and water was used to control the disease in a
vineyard near Bordeaux.
4) Bengal Femine : 1943
Due to brown spots of rice caused by Helminthosporium oryzae .
An estimated 800,000–3.8 million people died, in the Bengal region (present-day
Bangladesh and West Bengal), from starvation .
History of Plant Pathology in India
K.R Kirtikar
First Indian Scientist who collected and identified the fungi in India .
E.J. Butler
He known as the Father of Plant Pathology ( in India )
Abstract
Plant pathology is a branch of study that deals with the interaction between pathogens and plants.
It could be referred to as phytopathology. This study also involves the disease pathogenic
identification and classification, disease cycles, plant disease epidemiology, disease resistance,
and the effects of diseases on humans and other organisms. Monitoring plant health and
diagnosing different plant diseases is essential to control the diseases in agriculture. Technology
advances in terms of computer vision techniques have made the disease monitoring and study of
pathogenic conditions in plants easier.
It is study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens and environment conditions. The causal
agent may be a fungus, bacterium , virus or parasitic flowering plant. It deals with cause, control
and prevention of plant diseases at in vitro as well as field level. Plant pathology began with
Theophrastus in the ancient era, when he studied plant diseases in field and influence of
environment on disease development. The scientific approach to plant pathology began with the
Early Modern period with the invention of microscope by Leeuwenhoek. Since then, with the
advent of technologies new discoveries are being made which helps us prevent these diseases,
which have a potential to cause famines and widespread epidemics and lead to heavy economic
losses.
Introduction
Plant pathology is a science that studies plant diseases and attempts to improve the chances for
survival of plants when they are faced with unfavorable environmental conditions and parasitic
microorganisms that cause disease. Plant pathology is challenging, interesting, important, and
worth studying in its own right. It is also, however, a science that has a practical and noble goal
of protecting the food available for humans and animals.
The term Plant Pathology has been derived from three greek words
Phytopathology = Phyto + Pathos + logus
↓ ↓ ↓
Plant Ailments Knowledge
, Father of Plant Pathology is Anton de Bary
A plant becomes diseased when abiotic (environmental) or biotic factors interfere with these
essential normal functions. Plant pathology investigates and describes the pathogens; the plant–
pathogen interactions; the damage caused (symptoms); why the plant fails to reach its genetic
potential, does not grow normally, or produces lower or inferior quality harvests. Plant pathology
also studies diseases that affect the quality and safety of foods. It also investigates how plants
interact with pathogenic microbes and defend themselves against infection; and how this
knowledge can be used to improve their resistance. Plant pathology does not deal with injury or
damage caused to plants by weeds, insects, and mites and by other herbivore animals, or by
humans.
History
1) Iris Famine : 1845
Occurred due to the late blight of Potato . This disease destroyed the entire crop of
the potato .
In Ireland 20L peoples died due to the starvation .
2) Coffee Rust : 1867
Occurred in Sri-Lanka due to Hemilia vestericola.
3) Downy Mildew of grapes in France
It was caused by Plasmapora viticola.
The disease spread rapidly across France, destroying vineyards and causing
significant damage to the European wine industry.
In 1885, a mixture of copper, lime, and water was used to control the disease in a
vineyard near Bordeaux.
4) Bengal Femine : 1943
Due to brown spots of rice caused by Helminthosporium oryzae .
An estimated 800,000–3.8 million people died, in the Bengal region (present-day
Bangladesh and West Bengal), from starvation .
History of Plant Pathology in India
K.R Kirtikar
First Indian Scientist who collected and identified the fungi in India .
E.J. Butler
He known as the Father of Plant Pathology ( in India )
