CONCEPT OF PLANT HEALTH

DISEASE

Physiological function: Plant physiology is closely related to plant

pathology

Growth---coordinated physiological functions under the influence

of genetic and environmental factors

Biochemical and physiological process are linked together and

controlled
1. Photosynthesis
2. Respiration
3. Translocation
4. Assimilation

PLANT PARAMETERS: measured to evaluate the growth

1. Height
2. Girth of plant
3. Stem
4. Root
5. Grain

INCREASE IN SIZE OF PLANT -------changes in cell division

and expansion

COMPONENT OF GROWTH PROCESSES INCLUDE

1. Cell division.
2. Cell enlargement and differentiation
3. Morphogenesis

1
 FOOD RELATION

PHOTOSYNTHESIS: light and CO2---- leads to synthesis of

proteins, fats, nucleic acids, etc.
This process provide energy for metabolic process

Redistribution of energy to other parts

WATER RELATION
It is essential for physiological activities

ABSORPTION OF WATER BY PLANT FOR GROWTH

Soil---absorption by roots, movement across root tissues
into xylem elements and upward to leaves, evaporation into
the intercellular spaces of the leaves----diffusion through
stomata in to the atmosphere. ----------RESISTANCE BY
PATHOGENS

MINERAL RELATIONS
Eleven minerals are essential for plant growth [K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe,
Zn, B, Mn, and CU]

Role in the structure and metabolism of plants

FUNCTIONS: Serve as Coenzymes, regulators, have osmotic and

permeability phenomenon and antimicrobial substances

Deficiencies cause general and specific symptoms

Absorption of minerals----------INTERFERENCE

2
 HORMONE RELATIONS
Plants are equipped with hormonal chemical messengers, which
direct cells to carry out functions of growth and differentiation

GROUP OF CHEMICAL GROWTH REGULATORS.

1. Auxin------- Stimulate cell expansion
2. Gibberellins------ Stimulate cell expansion
3. Cytokinins ------- Stimulate cell division
4. Ethylene ---------- Stimulates growth of stem and roots
and induce fruit ripening
5. Inhibitors--------- Depress cell enlargement

ROLE OF GROWTH REGULATORS

1. Seed dormancy
2. Bud dormancy
3. Leaf senescence and abscission [color of leaves]
4. Cambial growth [Auxin and gibberellins---cell division and
differentiation]
5. Root growth
6. Reproductive growth [floral initiation and development,
pollination, fertilization, growth and development of embryo,
growth of the fruit and seed, and ripening of fruit]

PLANT RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES

A. DIURNAL CHANGES
Photosynthesis---daily cycle is reasonably correlated with stomatal
aperture
Resistance offered by stomata to CO2 uptake-----a major limitation
to photosynthesis
Morning---it increases with increase in light intensity and
temperature increase

Evening ----decline markedly

3
INTERFERENCE BY PATHOGENS
B. SEASONAL CHANGES
This facilities adaptation of plants to period of environmental
stress

For example: perennial woody plants-----decrease in temperature

and shortening of days lead to:
1. Cessation of growth
2. Development of buds
3. Redistribution of nutrients from leaves to stems
4. Abscission of leaves
5. Development of metabolically dormant state
6. Induction of frost hardness

Temperate zone plants-----cannot survive temp. even below

freezing in summer and often survive super-low temp. during
winter

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

AND PATHOLOGICAL STRESSES.

Environmental stresses and biotic pathogens influence plant

growth by interfere in rate and balances of physiological
processes.
1. Food
2. Hormone
3. Water relation
PATHOGENS-----metabolic disturbances

PHOTOSYNTHESIS----Color change, necrosis, wilting, leaf sots,

atrophy, overgrowth, dieback and abscission of plant parts
Environmental stress: