THEORY NOTES

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY

Course Code - PTH103

Course Title: - Fundamentals of Plant Pathology

Credits: - 3 (2+1)

Compiled By
Prof. Adesh Kumar
Associate Professor
Department of Plant Pathology
 SYLLABUS

Unit I
Importance, history, and concepts of Plant Pathology: basic terms and concepts in Plant
Pathology, introduction to Plant Pathology, history of Plant Pathology with special reference to
Indian scientists, important plant pathogens, importance of biotic and abiotic plant diseases,
classification of plant diseases, symptoms and signs of plant diseases
Unit II
Introduction to Fungi and Fungal-like organisms: general characters, definition of fungi and
somatic structures, types of fungal thallus, fungal tissues, modifications of thallus, reproduction
in fungi and fungal like organisms, nomenclature, binomial system and rules of nomenclature,
classification of fungi, key to phylum, classes, orders and diseases caused by them
Unit III
Introduction to Bacteria, Mollicutes, Viruses, Phanerogamic Plant Parasites and other
Plant pathogens: general morphological characters, basic methods of classification of bacteria
and mollicutes, reproduction of bacteria and mollicutes, nature, structure, fastidious vascular
bacteria, green algae, phanerogamic plant parasites and diseases caused by them, replication
and transmission of plant parasitic viruses
 SUGGESTED READINGS

1) Pathak, V. N. Essentials of Plant Pathology. Prakash Pub., Jaipur

2) Agrios, GN. 2010. Plant Pathology. Acad. Press.

3) Kamat, M. N. Introductory Plant Pathology. Prakash Pub, Jaipur

4) Singh RS. 2008. Plant Diseases. 8th Ed. Oxford & IBH. Pub. Co.

5) Singh RS. 2013. Introduction to Principles of Plant Pathology. Oxford and IBH Pub. Co.

6) Alexopoulos, Mims and Blackwel. Introductory Mycology

7) Mehrotra RS & Aggarwal A. 2007. Plant Pathology. 7th Ed. Tata Mc Graw Hill Publ. Co. Ltd.

8) Gibbs A & Harrison B. 1976. Plant Virology - The Principles. Edward Arnold, London.
9) Hull R. 2002. Mathew.s Plant Virology. 4th Ed. Academic Press, New York.

10) Verma JP. 1998. The Bacteria. Malhotra Publ. House, New Delhi.

11) Goto M. 1990. Fundamentals of Plant Bacteriology. Academic Press, New York.

12) Dhingra OD & Sinclair JB. 1986. Basic Plant Pathology Methods. CRC Press, London, Tokyo.

13) Nene YL & Thapliyal PN. 1993. Fungicides in Plant Disease Control. 3rd Ed. Oxford & IBH,
New Delhi.

14) Vyas SC. 1993. Handbook of Systemic Fungicides. Vols. I-III. Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi.

15) Rajeev K & Mukherjee RC. 1996. Role of Plant Quarantine in IPM. Aditya Books.

16) Rhower GG. 1991. Regulatory Plant Pest Management. In: Handbook of Pest Management in
Agriculture. 2nd Ed. Vol. II. (Ed. David Pimental). CRC Press.
 UNIT 1
Definition and History of Plant Pathology
Plant Pathology
Plant pathology or phytopathology is the science, which deals with the plant diseases. It
is concerned with health and productivity of growing plants. Phytopathology ( Greek Phyton =
plant + pathos - disease, ailments + logos = discourse, knowledge) is the branch of agricultural,
botanical or biological science which deals with the cause, etiology (aetiology), resulting in
losses and management methods of plant diseases.
Plant pathology can also be defined as the study of plant diseases, encompassing their causes
(biotic/abiotic), development mechanisms, and management strategies. It aims to reduce the
estimated 12–30% global crop loss caused by pathogens, ensuring food security through diagnostics,
epidemiology studies, breeding resistant varieties, and implementing effective disease control
methods.
1. Key Objectives of Plant Pathology
The main goals of this science are to improve crop health and yield:
• Study Etiology: Identify the living (fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes) and non-living
(nutrient deficiencies, pollution, weather) causes of plant diseases.

• Understand Pathogenesis: Investigate the mechanisms by which pathogens infect plants

and cause disease.

• Study Epidemiology: Understand how environmental factors interact with pathogens and
hosts to cause disease outbreaks.

• Develop Management Strategies: Create effective, sustainable techniques to prevent or

control plant diseases and minimize losses.

2. Scope of Plant Pathology

The field has a broad, multidisciplinary scope, covering:
• Field Surveillance: Surveying crops to identify new or existing diseases.

• Diagnostics: Identifying pathogens using molecular, immunological, or traditional methods.

• Epidemiology and Forecasting: Analyzing disease spread and predicting outbreaks to warn
farmers.

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 • Disease Management: Developing chemical, biological, and cultural controls (integrated
pest management).

• Host Plant Resistance: Developing and selecting crop varieties that resist disease.

• Interaction Studies: Studying the molecular interactions between pathogens and plants.

3. Importance of Plant Pathology

• Food Security: Diseases destroy massive quantities of food; control is crucial for feeding
the global population.

• Economic Impact: Helps mitigate billions of dollars in agricultural losses.

• Environmental Protection: Effective management reduces the misuse of pesticides.

Terms and concepts in Plant Pathology, Pathogenesis

1. Parasite: An organism living upon or in another living organism (the host) and obtaining the
food from the invading host.
2. Pathogen: An entity, usually a micro-organism that can cause the disease.

3. Biotroph: A plant pathogenic fungus that requires living host cells i.e. an obligate parasite.

4. Hemibiotroph: A plant pathogenic fungus that initially requires living host cells but after
killing the host cell grows on the dead and dying cells.
5. Necrotroph: A pathogenic fungus that kills the host and survives on the dying and dead cells.

6. Pathogenicity: The relative capability of a pathogen to cause disease.

7. Pathogenesis: It is a process caused by an infectious agent (pathogen) when it comes in

contact with a susceptible host.
8. Virulence: The degree of infectivity of a given pathogen.

9. Infection: The initiation and establishment of a parasite within a host plant.

10. Primary infection: The first infection of a plant by the over wintering or over summering of
the pathogen.
11. Inoculum: That portion of pathogen which is transferred to plant and cause disease.

12. Invasion: The penetration and spread of a pathogen in the host.

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13. Colonization: The growth of a pathogen, particularly a fungus, in the host after infection is
called colonization.
14. Inoculum potential: The growth or threshold of fungus available for colonization at
substratum (host).
15. Symptoms: The external and internal reaction or alterations of a plant as a result of disease.

16. Incubation period: The period of time between penetration of a pathogen to the host and the
first appearance of symptoms on the plant.
17. Disease cycle: The chain of events involved in disease development.

18. Disease syndrome: The set of varying symptoms characterizing a disease are collectively
called a syndrome.

19. Single cycle disease (Monocyclic): This type of disease is referred to those caused by the
pathogen (fungi) that can complete only one life cycle in one crop season of the host plant. e.g.
downy mildew of rapeseed, club root of crucifers, sclerotinia blight of brinjal etc.

20. Multiple cycle disease (Polycyclic): Some pathogens specially a fungus, can complete a
number of life cycles within one crop season of the host plant and the disease caused by such
pathogens is called multiple cycle disease e.g. wheat rust, rice blast, late blight of potato etc.
21. Alternate host: Plants not related to the main host of parasitic fungus, where it produces its
different stages to complete one cycle (heteroecious).
22. Collateral host: The wild host of same families of a pathogen is called as collateral host.
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23. Predisposition: The effect of one or more environmental factors which makes a plant
vulnerable to attack by a pathogen.
24. Physiologic race: One or a group of microorganisms similar in morphology but dissimilar in
certain cultural, physiological or pathological characters.
25. Biotype: The smallest morphological unit within a species, the members of which are usually
genetically identical.
26. Symbiosis: A mutually beneficial association of two or more different kinds of organisms.

27. Mutualism: Symbiosis of two organisms that are mutually helpful or that mutually support
one another.
28. Antagonism: The counteraction between organisms or groups of organisms.

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 29. Mutation: An abrupt appearance of a new characteristic in an individual as a result of an
accidental change in genes present in chromosomes.
30. Disease: Any deviation in the general health, or physiology or function of plant or plant
parts, is recognized as a disease.
31. Cop Damage: It is defined as any reduction in the quality or quantity of yield or loss of
revenue resulting from crop injury.
32. Deficiency: Abnormality or disease caused by the lack or subnormal level of availability of
one or more essential nutrient elements.
CAUSES OF PLANT DISEASES
Plant diseases are caused by biotic (living) pathogens—fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes—
and abiotic (non-living) environmental stressors, such as nutrient deficiencies, improper moisture,
and extreme temperatures. Cultural practices, including poor planting methods and overwatering,
also cause disease. These factors damage plant tissue, disrupting normal physiological processes.
Key Causes of Plant Diseases:
• Fungi and Fungal-like Organisms (Oomycetes): The most common cause, including rusts,
smuts, mildews, and rots.

• Bacteria: Microscopic organisms that enter through wounds or stomata, causing blights, leaf
spots, and bacterial wilts (e.g., Erwinia, Pseudomonas).

• Viruses and Viroids: Microscopic infectious agents often transmitted by insects (like
aphids) or via vegetative propagation, leading to mosaic patterns, stunting, and yellowing.

• Nematodes: Microscopic, parasitic worms that attack roots and foliage, causing galls (root-
knot), stunting, and nutrient uptake issues.

• Abiotic (Environmental) Factors: Non-living stressors including:

o Nutrient Imbalances: Deficiencies or toxicities in soil, such as low nitrogen.

o Water Management: Drought (too little) or waterlogging (too much).

o Temperature Extremes: Frost, freezing, or excessive heat.

o Soil/Air Conditions: Improper pH, mineral salt accumulation, or windburn.

• Cultural Practices (Human-Induced):

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 o Poor Management: Planting at wrong depths, high density, or improper pruning.

o Contamination: Spreading pathogens via dirty tools

PLANT DISEASES
Plant diseases are recognized by the symptoms (external or internal) produced by them or
by sick appearance of the plant.
Definition: Disease is a malfunctioning process that is caused by continuous irritation, which
results in some suffering producing symptoms
{This definition is accepted by both American Phytopathological Society and British
Mycological Society}.

Classification of plant diseases

Crop plants are vulnerable to thousands of different diseases. To better understand and manage
them, these diseases are categorized based on specific criteria. The primary methods of
classification are detailed below.

1. Classification by Type of Infection

Localized Diseases:

These infections are confined to a specific, limited area of a plant organ or part. They do not
spread throughout the entire plant.

Examples: Leaf spots and anthracnose, which are typically caused by various fungi.

Systemic Diseases:

In these cases, a pathogen enters the plant at a single point but eventually spreads to infect most
or all of the host's tissues.

Examples: Downy mildews (caused by fungi) and viral infections such as leaf curls and mosaics.

2. Classification by Perpetuation and Spread

Soil-borne Diseases:

The pathogens responsible for these diseases survive and spread primarily through the soil.

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Examples: Damping-off (caused by fungi like Pythium sp.) and root rot (caused by Rhizoctonia
spp.).

Seed-borne Diseases:

These diseases rely on seeds or seed materials to survive and spread to new plants. The
infectious agents can be carried either inside the seed (internal) or on the surface (external).

Internal Example: Loose smut of wheat (caused by Ustilago nuda tritici).

External Example: Blast of rice (caused by Pyricularia oryzae).

Air-borne Diseases:

In this category, the causal agents are dispersed through the air or wind currents.

Examples: Early and late leaf spots of groundnut, caused by Cercospora arachidicola and
Phaeoisariopsis personata, respectively.

3. Extent of Occurrence and Geographic Distribution

This section classifies diseases based on how widely they spread and how frequently they occur
in specific regions.

a. Endemic Diseases (Enphytotic)

An endemic disease is one that occurs constantly, year after year, within a specific country or
locality. While the severity can range from moderate to severe, the key factor is its consistent
presence in that area.

Examples:

Potato Wart: Caused by Synchytrium endobioticum, endemic to Darjeeling.

Citrus Canker: Caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri, endemic to Asia.

Sorghum Rust: Caused by Puccinia purpurea, endemic to India.

b. Epidemic or Epiphytotic Diseases

An epidemic (or epiphytotic) refers to a sudden, periodic outbreak of a disease over a

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widespread area. These outbreaks are characterized by their devastating severity, often causing
extensive crop losses or complete destruction.

Characteristics: The disease may actually be present in the locality constantly, but it only
assumes a severe, epidemic form on specific occasions. This flare-up is usually caused by
environmental conditions becoming favorable for the rapid spread of the pathogen.

c. Sporadic diseases:

Sporadic diseases are those that occur at irregular intervals over limited areas or locations. They
happen in relatively few instances rather than being widespread.

Examples: Fusarium wilt of cotton (Fusarium oxysporum [Link]. vasinfectum), grain smut of
sorghum (Sporisorium = Sphacelotheca cruenta), and wheat loose smut (Ustilago nuda tritici).

d. Pandemic diseases:

A disease is said to be pandemic when it is prevalent throughout a country, continent, or the

world, often involving mass mortality or widespread devastation.

Examples: Late blight of potato and wheat stem rust.

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