Growing Vegetables

Do plants need bacteria? well it may suprise you to learn that bacteria are plants, tiny invisable ones that cause trouble when they live inside animals and plants. Bactria lack chlorophyll and cannot benefir from photosynthesis. Bacteeria that live only on dead animals and plants are called saprophytes. The bacteria that cause disease in planst and animals are parasites. Many bacteria can switch between the two roles living off of dead plants in the winter and switching back in the spring.

how are bacteria and plant cells alike? Each cell is an independant plant. They are spread to plants in flowing water or transfered soil. They can get inside a plant through wounds or through a plants tiny natural openings.

The harmful effects of bacteria on plants can be broken down into three groups.

1. Rots - Attack leaves, stems, branches and tubers. Produce enzymes that dissolve cell walls making affected tissuesoft and slimy.

2. Wilting - Caused when bacteria blocks the vascular system.

3. Galls - Result from an overgrowth of affected plant cells, which affects the flow of food and water.

Bacterial disease is more likly with wet soil, high humidy and temperature. A plant’s nutritio nalso makes it vunerable to disease. ex. to much nitrogen encourages wilt bacteria. Be sure that you give your plants gradually available nutrients in mulch and compost. You should try and use disease free seed and resistant varieties. Remove any wilted plants and destry them, bacteria multiplies by cell division and they increase quickly. There is no saving a plant once it has become infected. No plants should be planted there as bacteria can live in the soil for years.