4.3.3.1 Detection and Identification of Plant Diseases

Question 1

How do plants suffer deficiency symptoms?

Answer 1

• lack of mineral ions

Question 2

What mineral ions does a plant need?

Answer 2

• nitrates are needed for proteins and growth, suffer stunted growth
• magnesium ions are needed for making chlorophyll, suffer chlorosis and yellow leaves without it

Question 3

What are examples of insects that infest plants?

Answer 3

• aphids

Question 4

What are the common signs of disease in a plant?

Answer 4

• stunted growth
• spots on the leaves
• patch of decay/rot
• abnormal growths (lumps)
• malformed stems or leaves
• discolouration

Question 5

How can different plant disease be identified?

Answer 5

• looking up signs in gardening manual or gardening website
• taking infected plant to lab where scientists can identify pathogen
• using testing kits that identify pathogen using monoclonal antibodies