Chapter 1 - Plant parasite microorganisms

Abstract

The chapter discusses the fungal plant pathogens, bacterial plant pathogens, plant viruses, and viral plant diseases. Fungi are not autotrophs and they have no chloroplasts; they can only use the energy stored in organic compounds. This chapter explains the properties and characteristics of fungi along with the system of fungi and fungal plant disease. Properties of phylogenetically independent taxons including fungi and fungaceous organisms are also explained. Bacteria are the smallest cellular organisms with a prokaryotic cell structure. Some bacteria (genus Bacillus) form endospores inside the cells, which are covered with a thick wall and can withstand harsh environments without losing viability. The chapter also explains a system of phytopathogenic bacteria and bacterial plant diseases. It outlines plant viruses and viral plant diseases, the structure of plant viruses, and symptoms of viral diseases. It also sheds light on the survival and propagation of phytopathogenic viruses. The parasitic nematodes as plant pathogens and the role of the nematode discharge in a plant–nematode relationship are also described in this chapter. Investigation of the feeding processes of the cyst nematode H. schachtii showed that the secretory proteins released by amphids in intercellular space between the nematode head and cell wall fix the nematode head to the syncytium wall.