What is Plant pathology?
[[File:Tobacco mosaic virus symptoms orchid.jpg|thumb|[[Orchid]] leaves with viral infections]] '''Plant pathology''', or '''phytopathology''', is the study of [[plant]] [[disease]]s. Like animals, plants can get [[infection|infected]] and damaged by [[virus]]es, [[bacteria]] and [[fungi]]. It includes not only the harm done by [[pathogen]]s (infectious organisms), but also harm done by environmental conditions.<ref>Agrios, George N. 1972. ''Plant pathology''. 3rd ed, New York: Academic Press.</ref> Organisms which cause infectious disease include [[fungus|fungi]], [[oomycete]]s, [[bacterium|bacteria]], [[virus|plant viruses]], [[viroid]]s, [[virus]]-like organisms, [[phytoplasma]]s, [[protozoa]], [[nematode]]s and [[parasitic plant]]s. Not included are ectoparasites like [[insects]], [[mites]], [[vertebrate]], or other [[Plant defense against herbivory|pests that affect plant health]] by eating plant tissues. Plant pathology involves the study of pathogen identification, disease cycles, economic impact, plant disease [[epidemiology]], plant [[disease resistance]], how plant diseases affect humans and animals, and how to manage plant diseases. Plant pathology is of fundamental importance to [[agriculture]].<ref>Aisnworth G.C. 1981. ''Introduction to the history of plant pathology''. Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|0-521-23032-2}}</ref> == References == {{reflist}} {{-}} {{Botany}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Plants]] [[Category:Branches of botany]] [[Category:Pathology]]