Phytopathology

Phytopatology [ Natural sciences - Botany ] Synonym: Plant pathology	Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names
Adjective: Phytopathologic or Phytopathological Adverb: Phytopathologically Noun: Phytopatholoist


	The science of diseases to which plants are liable, their possible nature, causes, symptoms, classification, diagnoses, management and safe use of pesticedes.

The term phytopathology (also called plant pathology) derives from the combination of three Greek words: "Phyton" meaning plant, "pathos" meaning suffering, and "logos" meaning discourse. Many different areas of biology and agronomy are involved in the study of plant diseases, for example plant physiology (plant resistance mechanisms), biochemistry, mycology and fungal physiology, (the study of fungi), Phytobacteriology (the study of bacteria in relation to plants), Nematology (the study of parasitic nematodes), Virology (the study of viruses causing plant diseases) genetics of the host-pathogen relationship and plants resistance. Phytopathology includes all infectious agents that attack plants and abiotic disorders, but does not include herbivory by insects, mammals and parasitic angiosperms (plants that parasitize other plants) Plant biotic pathogens include: Fungi: the most common pathogens (root rot fungi, moulds, rusts, and mildews). Oomycetes: (Water Moulds) Bacteria: prokaryotic organsisms which include as many as 18 genera. Mycoplasmas: Viruses: more than 700 are plant pathogens Nematodes: (Roundworms) - both as pathogens and vectors. Viroids: small, single-stranded RNA pathogens causing a dozen plus diseases. Natural abiotic disorders include: Drought: water conditions like water related stress Frost damage: and breakage by snow and hail Flooding and poor drainage Mineral nutrient: requirements and deficiency Salt deposition: and other soluble mineral excesses (e.g. gypsum) Wind: (windburn, and breakage by hurricanes and tornados) Lightning and wildfire: (also often man-made) Man-made: Soil compaction Pollution: of air and/or soil Herbicide and phytochemicals: over-application Compare with: Phytoparasitology

Advertising

Holdfast roots [ Botany ]
Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.

Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994