5.11B **Higher Only** - Detecting and Identifying Plant Disease

Question 1

What is the importance of detecting and identifying plant diseases?

Answer 1

It helps prevent the spread of disease across an entire crop.

Question 2

What are some visible clues of Chalara dieback of ash?

Answer 2

Malformations and browning of leaves.

Question 3

What symptoms does the Tobacco mosaic virus cause?

Answer 3

Discolouration of leaves.

Question 4

What does bacterial canker on fruit trees cause?

Answer 4

Loss of leaves, stunted growth, and formation of pus-filled lesions on the trunk.

Question 5

What damage can aphids cause to plants?

Answer 5

Serious structural damage.

Question 6

What is the first step in identifying a plant disease in the lab?

Answer 6

Cuttings are taken from the diseased plant.

Question 7

What is done after taking cuttings from the diseased plant?

Answer 7

The virus/bacterium causing the disease is grown on a culture medium/agar plate.

Question 8

How is the pathogen tested and identified in the lab?

Answer 8

Using a monoclonal antibody testing kit (known as an ELISA kit).