Plant viruses

Plant Viruses are pathogens that infect plants. They are a type of virus that can cause disease in plants, leading to significant economic losses in agriculture and horticulture.

Overview

Plant Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that lack the molecular machinery to replicate without a host. They are composed of a protein coat, known as a capsid, and a nucleic acid core, which carries the viral genome. The genome can be either RNA or DNA, single or double-stranded.

Transmission

Plant viruses can be transmitted in a variety of ways. Some are transmitted by insects, such as aphids, in a process known as vector transmission. Others are transmitted through the soil, or through direct contact between plants, such as when a healthy plant comes into contact with the sap of an infected plant.

Symptoms

The symptoms of plant virus infections can vary widely, but often include stunting, yellowing, and distortion of leaves. In some cases, the plant may also develop lesions or other abnormal growths.

Control

Control of plant viruses typically involves the use of resistant plant varieties, good agricultural practices, and in some cases, the use of pesticides to control the vectors that transmit the viruses. In recent years, genetic engineering has also been used to develop plants that are resistant to specific viruses.

See Also

• Virus
• Plant Pathology
• Agriculture
• Horticulture

This virology related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.

This plant pathology related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.