What are plant pests and diseases?
Pests include a variety of organisms ranging from microbes to plants to animals. An organism that causes plant disease is called a plant pathogen. Plant pathogens are considered plant pests. Plant pathogens spread in various ways, including by insects, water, soil, air, people and other animals. Common plant diseases can be divided into these three categories: fungal, bacterial, and viral. Fungal diseases are caused by fungus. Fungus is defined as any group of spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter.Fungi and Fungal-Like Organisms: Collectively, fungi and fungal-like organisms (FLOs) cause more plant diseases than any other group of plant pathogens.Microorganisms that cause plant diseases include nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and mycoplasmas. We also classify viruses and viroids as biotic agents because they must have living cells for reproduction and are composed of nucleic acid and protein.On the other hand, pathogenic fungi cause plant diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, rust, wilt, blight, coils, scab, gall, canker, damping-off, root rot, mildew, and dieback. Systemic foliar pathogens are major causes for yield and commercial crop losses and diminished crop quality [2].
What are the 4 types of pests?
The Four Main Categories of Pests. Pest classification helps professionals determine the most effective strategies for management and elimination. Each category has unique characteristics, life cycles, and methods of causing harm. The main categories are insects, plant diseases, weeds, and vertebrates. A pest is classed as an animal which could be harmful to humans. They may for example damage crops, livestock or forestry, cause a nuisance by invading homes and work spaces or cause illness by spreading disease. There are four different types of pests – rodents, insects, birds and wildlife.