Introduction to Plant Pathology

Study Notes

Impact of Plant Diseases

Plant diseases limit the amount of land available for cultivation each year and the types of crops that can be grown in contaminated fields.
Millions of kilograms of pesticides are used annually to treat seeds, fumigate soils, spray plants, and treat fruits post-harvest.

Consequences of Control Measures

Control measures add to the cost of food production.
Some control measures, like crop rotation, limit food production.
Others introduce toxic chemicals into the environment.

Purpose of Plant Pathology

Plant pathology aims to balance food production with minimal adverse side effects on people and the environment.

Definition and Importance of Plant Pathology

Plant pathology is the science of studying plant diseases to improve plant survival in unfavorable environments and against parasitic microorganisms.
It is a challenging, interesting, and important field that studies plant diseases to ensure food security for humans and animals.

Impact of Plant Diseases on Food Security

Plant diseases prevent cultivation and growth of food plants in some areas.
They can destroy parts or all of the plants, reducing their produce.
Insects, weeds, and diseases combined annually destroy between 31% and 42% of crops worldwide.
Developing countries suffer more crop losses than developed countries.

Human Consequences of Plant Diseases

Plant diseases lead to malnutrition, hunger, and starvation in large populations, especially in poor countries.
Crop destruction forces people to leave their farms and villages, leading to overcrowding in cities.

Description

Learn about the basics of plant pathology, a science that deals with the study of plant diseases and their impact on the environment and food supply. Understand the importance of plant pathology in improving plant survival and protecting food sources. Discover the challenges and goals of this fascinating field.