Plant Genetics and Physiology in Disease Prognosis

Abstract

The dynamics of plant physiology and protein expression may largely contribute in disease diagnosis. Biochemical changes and secondary metabolites cross talk while pathogen and plant interact through cellular defense mechanisms. Plants genetics in relation to resistance levels vs pathogens helps in categorizing varieties and also the pathogen, on the basis of symptoms development. Although symptomology is the basic criterion for identification of plant diseases, other serological, biochemical and molecular assays are highly sensitive and useful for correct diagnosis of plant diseases. Advances in plant physiology and genetics, under varying spatio-temporal scales, are used for the detection and management of diseases. Thus, biochemical characterization of diseased plants opens new trends in disease diagnosis to formulate management strategies. In this chapter we focused on the comparison between genetics and physiology of diseased and healthy plants. Moreover, effect of biochemical changes due to certain pathogens on host plants are also discussed as concerns detection. The use of proteome in disease diagnosis is also described. Genetics of resistance and susceptible varieties vs diseases was highlighted for disease diagnosis. As different plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses and virus-like pathogens have different expression profiles during disease progression,, physiology and genetics of diseased plants appear as useful tools for diagnosis.