Diseases Of Plants Caused By Viruses And Their Prevention

<<–2/”>a >body>

Diseases of Plants caused by viruses and their prevention

Some of the same types of viruses that infect humans can also infect plants. Plants and humans do not transmit viruses to each other, but humans can spread plant viruses through physical contact. Most frequently, plants catch a cold when an insect or other small animal invades the cellulose armor that protects them from the Environment. Viruses also spread through infected seeds, grafting, wind, splashing, pollination and dripping sap.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

This is the best known of all virus diseases. The tobacco mosaic virus affects all dicotyledonous plants of which most important are tobacco and tomato. But it does not affect any monocotyledonous plants.

Although Adolph Mayer in 1886 first pointed out the mosaic pattern on leaves of affected tobacco plants, it was not until 1898 the first scientific proof of the existence of a virus was given by Beijerinck. Earlier than this, in 1892 Iwanowski demonstrated that tobacco mosaic virus would pass through a bacteria-proof filter.

The typical tobacco mosaic virus is Tobacco mosaic virus 1, Marmor tabaci Holmes. The virus remains active in extracted host plant juice even up to 25 years. It is a very resistant virus, can stand desiccation for 25 years or more. It occurs in very high concentration in plant and its dilution end point is 10-6. The thermal inactivation point of the virus is 90°C.

Prevention of Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Seed beds should be located at a great distance from the tobacco warehouses.
Seed beds should be free from any tobacco refuse.
Seed bed Soil should be sterilized by steam.
Care should be taken to avoid contamination through hands and cultivation implements.
Since pipe tobacco, cigarettes and chewing tobacco are all sources of primary inoculum, smoking or chewing of any kind of tobacco should be avoided.
Susceptible hosts, weed or otherwise in which virus may harbour, should be destroyed.

Cucumber Mosaic Virus

Historically, Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was first described in detail in 1916 on cucumber.

CMV infects 1200 species in over 100 plant families and can cause significant economic losses in many vegetable and horticultural crops. CMV causes a systemic infection in most host plants, but may remain symptomless in some crops like alfalfa. Symptoms of cucumber mosaic can vary greatly depending on the crop infected and the age of the plant when infection occurs.

Prevention

Nowadays, there is not any chemical capable of removing this virus from an infected plant. Therefore, the best control in this case is prevention of the infection and eradication. To achieve this, it is crucial to remove Weeds and diseased plants from the field, as well as use clean and sanitized tools. Another option consists of the use of resistant varieties or the so-called “trap crops”.

Barley Yellow Dwarf

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), a member of the Luteoviruses, is a group of five closely related virus strains. Strains of BYDV differ serologically and in virulence, host range and vector specificity. Virus particles are spherical. BYDV is transmitted by more than 20 aphid species. The most important are the oat bird-cherry aphid, the corn leaf aphid, the English grain aphid and the green bug. Aphids acquire BYDV by feeding on infected plants and transmit the virus in subsequent feedings.

Symptoms of barley yellow dwarf are highly variable and can be confused with those of wheat streak mosaic, nutrient deficiency, root and crown diseases, and environmental Stress. Barley yellow dwarf is tentatively diagnosed from the presence of aphid vectors and the occurrence of yellowed, stunted plants grouped singly or in small patches among normal plants. Leaf discoloration in shades of yellow, red or purple from the tip down and from the margin to midrib is typical. In wheat symptoms start to become obvious at about the jointing stage of Growth. Barley yellow dwarf does not produce a distinct mosaic pattern as do wheat streak mosaic or soil-borne mosaic.

Prevention of Barley Yellow Dwarf

An important strategy to manage BYDV is to plant resistant or tolerant cultivars. High levels of resistance or Tolerance are not available in wheat; however, commercial cultivars vary in their susceptibility to barley yellow dwarf. A good strategy is to grow diverse varieties to minimize the potential that a single variety will be severely affected by the disease.
Cultural methods of managing barley yellow dwarf include controlling grassy weeds, including volunteer Cereals, within and near wheat production fields. In addition, small grains should not be planted in midsummer as cover or companion crops in wheat-producing areas. These practices will minimize the virus and vector reservoirs in wheat growing areas.
Delaying fall seeding of wheat until aphid populations decline minimizes the risk of barley yellow dwarf. Optimum seeding dates for winter wheat have been established for the various growing areas of Nebraska. These can be obtained from your local extension office. Avoid planting wheat earlier than the recommended date for your area.

Bud Blight

Bud blight, otherwise known as bud rot or bud mold, is the presence of moldy buds developing on cannabis plants. It is a common but devastating occurrence that can occur for a variety of reasons. Bud blight affects many different types of plants, including tomatoes and soybeans, in addition to marijuana of all types.

Bud blight is not a symptom of a specific disease; rather, it can be caused by a number of different issues affecting marijuana plants, such as overwatering, overcrowding, and too much humidity. Unlike other cannabis plant infections, such as powdery mildew, which is caused by a fungal pathogen, bud blight can be caused by either a fungus or a bacterium. Even plants weakened by a pest infestation can begin to develop bud blight.

Peanut Stunt Virus

The peanut stunt virus causes discoloration and distortion of the leaves of peanuts and some other rhizomes, stunting their growth. Aphids and sap spread the virus.

PSV is transmitted from plant to plant by several species of aphids (Aphis craccivora, A. spiraecola and Myzus persicae) in a stylet-borne manner. It can also be transmitted by mechanical inoculation.

It has been shown to be transmitted by seeds in peanuts at a very low level but this is not considered to be very important to the spread of this virus. The virus can be introduced into a susceptible field crop by aphids from a nearby reservoir (infected perennial hosts like clover, alfalfa or perennial peanuts) and then is spread further into the field by aphids. It can be spread in Perennial Crops by harvesting (mechanical transmission) and possibly by root grafts.

Prevention

Because PSV is not an economically important disease in groundnuts, no control methods are available. However, it is advisable to use cultural practices such as eliminating the source of infection and using good quality seed to prevent the disease spreading. In the case of forage legumes, such as clover in perennial pastures, the use of resistant or tolerant varieties is recommended.

Plant viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that can infect all types of plants, from the smallest mosses to the largest trees. They are responsible for a wide range of diseases, some of which can be devastating to crops.

Viruses are very small, typically only a few hundred nanometers in diameter. They are not cells and do not have their own Metabolism. Instead, they replicate inside the cells of their hosts, using the host’s machinery to produce new virus particles.

There are many different types of plant viruses, and each one can cause a different set of symptoms. Some common symptoms of viral diseases include:

Leaf spots or streaks
Yellowing or wilting of leaves
Stunted growth
Death of the plant

Plant viruses can be transmitted in a number of ways, including:

Mechanical transmission: This is the most common way that plant viruses are transmitted. It occurs when infected plant material comes into contact with healthy plant material. For example, a gardener may spread a virus from one plant to another by using the same pruning shears on both plants.
Vector transmission: This is another common way that plant viruses are transmitted. It occurs when a virus is carried from one plant to another by an insect or other animal. For example, aphids can transmit a number of plant viruses, including the virus that causes cucumber mosaic disease.
Seed transmission: Some plant viruses can be transmitted through the seeds of infected plants. This is a relatively rare way for plant viruses to be transmitted, but it can be a serious problem for farmers.

Diagnosing a viral disease can be difficult, as the symptoms of viral diseases can often be similar to the symptoms of other diseases. However, there are a number of tests that can be used to diagnose viral diseases, including:

Electron microscopy: This is a technique that uses a Microscope to magnify images of viruses. It can be used to identify the type of virus that is infecting a plant.
Serological tests: These tests detect the presence of antibodies to a virus in the plant’s sap.
Molecular tests: These tests detect the presence of viral DNA or RNA in the plant’s sap.

There is no cure for plant viruses, so the best way to control them is to prevent them from infecting plants in the first place. There are a number of things that can be done to prevent the spread of plant viruses, including:

Use disease-free planting material: This is the most important thing that can be done to prevent the spread of plant viruses. Make sure to purchase planting material from a reputable source that has tested its plants for viruses.
Practice good sanitation: This includes using clean tools and equipment when working with plants, and disposing of infected plant material properly.
Control insect vectors: Insect vectors can transmit a number of plant viruses. To control insect vectors, use insecticides or other methods, such as row covers, to prevent them from reaching your plants.
Grow resistant varieties: Some varieties of plants are resistant to certain viruses. If you know that a particular virus is a problem in your area, choose varieties that are resistant to that virus.

Conclusion

Plant viruses can be a serious problem for farmers and gardeners. However, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent the spread of plant viruses, including using disease-free planting material, practicing good sanitation, controlling insect vectors, and growing resistant varieties.

In addition to the above, there are a number of other things that can be done to prevent the spread of plant viruses, including:

Isolating infected plants: If you suspect that a plant is infected with a virus, isolate it from other plants to prevent the spread of the virus.
Destroying infected plant material: Once a plant is infected with a virus, there is no cure. The best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to destroy the infected plant material.
Rotating crops: Rotating crops helps to prevent the build-up of viruses in the soil.
Using resistant varieties: As mentioned above, some varieties of plants are resistant to certain viruses. If you know that a particular virus is a problem in your area, choose varieties that are resistant to that virus.
Using pesticides: Pesticides can be used to control insect vectors that transmit plant viruses.
Using biological controls: Biological controls, such as predatory insects, can be used to control insect vectors that transmit plant viruses.
Using quarantines: Quarantines can be used to prevent the introduction of new plant viruses into an area.

By taking these steps, you can help to prevent the spread of plant viruses and protect your plants from disease.

What are the most common diseases of plants?

The most common diseases of plants are caused by viruses, bacteria, Fungi, and nematodes. Viruses are the smallest of these organisms and can only be seen with an electron microscope. They cause a wide range of diseases in plants, including yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and death. Bacteria are larger than viruses and can be seen with a Light microscope. They cause a variety of diseases in plants, including wilts, blights, and rots. Fungi are also larger than viruses and bacteria and can be seen with a light microscope. They cause a variety of diseases in plants, including rusts, smuts, and mildews. Nematodes are tiny worms that can infect plants and cause a variety of diseases, including root knot, gall, and wilt.

How can I prevent diseases in my plants?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent diseases in your plants, including:

Plant resistant varieties of plants.
Practice good sanitation.
Rotate crops.
Use disease-free planting material.
Control pests.
Water properly.
Fertilize properly.
Prune properly.
Monitor your plants for signs of disease.
Treat diseases early.

What are the signs of a diseased plant?

The signs of a diseased plant can vary depending on the type of disease. However, some common signs include:

Yellowing or wilting leaves
Spots or lesions on leaves
Death of plant parts
Stunted growth
Mold or mildew on plant parts

How do I treat a diseased plant?

The treatment for a diseased plant will depend on the type of disease. However, some common treatments include:

Using fungicides or insecticides
Removing diseased plant parts
Applying a foliar spray
Planting resistant varieties of plants
Practicing good sanitation

What are the risks of using pesticides?

Pesticides can be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. They can also be harmful to beneficial insects, which can help to control pests. It is important to use pesticides carefully and only when necessary.

What are the benefits of using organic pesticides?

Organic pesticides are made from natural materials, such as plants, Minerals, and bacteria. They are less harmful to humans, animals, and the environment than synthetic pesticides. However, they may not be as effective as synthetic pesticides.

What are the benefits of using integrated pest management?

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a system that uses a variety of methods to control pests. These methods include:

Using resistant varieties of plants
Practicing good sanitation
Rotating crops
Using biological controls, such as beneficial insects
Using pesticides only when necessary

IPM is a more sustainable approach to pest control than using pesticides alone. It is also less harmful to humans, animals, and the environment.

Which of the following is not a type of plant disease?
(A) Virus
(B) Bacteria
(C) Fungus
(D) Insect
Which of the following is not a way to prevent plant diseases?
(A) Use resistant varieties
(B) Control pests
(C) Rotate crops
(D) Water properly
Which of the following is a virus that can infect plants?
(A) Tobacco mosaic virus
(B) Potato virus Y
(C) Tomato spotted wilt virus
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a bacterium that can infect plants?
(A) Pseudomonas syringae
(B) Xanthomonas campestris
(C) Erwinia amylovora
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a fungus that can infect plants?
(A) Fusarium oxysporum
(B) Verticillium wilt
(C) Phytophthora infestans
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is an insect that can damage plants?
(A) Aphids
(B) Whiteflies
(C) Beetles
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a way to control pests?
(A) Use pesticides
(B) Use biological control
(C) Use cultural control
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a way to rotate crops?
(A) Plant different crops in the same field each year
(B) Plant different crops in different fields each year
(C) Plant a cover crop in the off-season
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a way to water properly?
(A) Water deeply and less often
(B) Water shallowly and more often
(C) Water at the base of the plant
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a way to prevent plant diseases?
(A) Use resistant varieties
(B) Control pests
(C) Rotate crops
(D) Water properly

Answers:
1. (D)
2. (D)
3. (D)
4. (D)
5. (D)
6. (D)
7. (D)
8. (D)
9. (A)
10. (D)