Infectious Diseases in Plants

Overview

• Focus on describing causes and symptoms of infectious diseases in plants.
• Key diseases discussed:
  • Viral disease: Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)
  • Fungal disease: Rose Black Spot

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)

• Type: Viral Disease
• Affected Plants:
  • Infects various plant species, notably tomatoes.
• Symptoms:
  • Leaves discolor in a mosaic pattern.
  • Discoloration leads to reduced photosynthesis rate.
  • Reduced photosynthesis results in stunted plant growth.

Rose Black Spot

• Type: Fungal Disease
• Symptoms:
  • Development of purple or black spots on leaves.
  • Leaves turn yellow and fall off.
  • Similar to TMV, photosynthesis rate decreases, affecting growth.
• Spread:
  • Fungus spreads via water or wind.
• Treatment:
  • Fungicides: Spraying plants with chemicals that kill fungi.
  • Leaf Removal: Removing and destroying infected leaves.

Exam Preparation

• Infectious plant diseases are a common exam topic.
• Check the revision workbook for practice questions.

Conclusion

• Understanding the mechanisms and impacts of TMV and Rose Black Spot is essential for plant pathology studies.