Introduction

LET'S TALK ABOUT FUNGI!

Fungi is a fascinating and diverse group of organisms.These are

neither plant nor animal,yet they play essential role in
ecosystem,medicine and human culture.The appearance of many
multicellular fungi is familiar to each and every one of us.Fungi are
filamentous and protists that lack chlorophyll.They have some
advantages and disadvantages in our daily life also.
About the Presenter

Sajid Hasan
DU PHARMACY-58
 Crop
Diseases
some fungi may cause disease in plants, and can have a devastating effect
on crops of economic importance. Rusts, smutsand mildews are all
examples of common plant diseases caused by fungi. Fungi are
responsible for a wide range of crop diseases, affecting various plant
species and parts, from leaves and stems to fruits and roots. Here, I will
provide you with a comprehensive overview of fungal crop diseases,
including their causes, symptoms, and management strategies:
1.Early Blight of Potato:

Introduction:
The disease is quite common, and occurs on about three week old plants. Since
this blight occurs earlier than the ‘late blight’ of potato, it is called ‘early blight.’
Symptoms:

Well-defined leaf spots appear on the leaves which grow and cover bigger
portions or the entire leaves.

This is called blight. The pale-brown leaf spots show concentric rings, called targe
board symptom. In humid weather the disease spreads faster. The infected tissue
die, dry and fall off. This greatly reduces the photosynthetic area of the leaves.
2. Blast Disease of Rice:

Introduction:
Pathogen-Pyricularia Oryzae:This is the enemy number one of rice crop and
occurs frequently.

Symptoms:
Spindle-shaped spots, ash-coloured in centre with brown margins, appear on
the leaves, culms, glumes, and the stalk (neck) of the panicle. The ears are also
infected and bend downward due to rotting of the stalk.
3. Grey Blight Disease of Tea:

This is the most common blight disease of tea leaves and does
considerable damage to the crop. First, small brown spots
appear which later spread and cover the entire leaf blade. The
old lesions turn grey and masses of conidia appear as black
dots on the grey background. The infected portions turn brittle
and fall off, leaving irregular cuts on the leaves.
4. Late Blight of Potato:
Pathogen- Phytophthora infestans

The disease is worldwide in occurrence. Epiphytotics never occur in the plains, but are
frequent in the hills. The non-availability of high relative humidity during the crop
season (October-December) prevents the disease occurrence. The fungus, present in
potato tubers, fails to survive the high summer temperature in the plains. The disease
recurrence occurs through ‘seeds’ (tubers) stored in cold-storages.

The name late blight, is given to this disease because, compared to another disease-
early blight (caused by Alternaria solani), it occurs late in the season. The brown spots
appear on leaves only at the time of flowering; grow very fast and soon cover the entire
foliage. Ultimately, the infection reaches the underground portions of the plant and
infects the tubers. Independent infection of tubers also takes place by zoospores
present in the soil.
 3. Disease Management Strategies:

Resistant Varieties: Breeding and using crop varieties resistant to specific fungal diseases is a
sustainable approach to disease management.

Crop Rotation: Altering the type of crops grown in a field from season to season can disrupt the life
cycle of many fungal pathogens.

Fungicides: Chemical fungicides can be used to control fungal diseases, but their overuse can lead to
resistance and environmental concerns.

Biological Control: Beneficial microorganisms and organisms like Trichoderma and mycorrhizal fungi
can be used to suppress fungal pathogens.

Sanitation: Practices like removing infected plant debris and ensuring proper drainage can help reduce
disease pressure.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM combines various strategies to manage fungal diseases
effectively while minimizing environmental impact.
Thank you for listening!
SEE YOU ON OUR NEXT TRAIL!