Growing Vegetables

plant viral diseases are neither organisms or inanimate creatures. Its not even certain if viruses are living or non-living. In some way viruses show behaviors similar to living organisms and in other ways they are like non-living chemical reactions. They can only increase in numbers when inside living host cells.

Plant viral disease is spread from plant to plant in a number of ways. Bugs often carry it from plant to plant especially aphids who are the worst. Parasitic plants may also spread viruses through the grafting union with their host plant. Even humans can transfer by handling plants or using infected tools. Infected soil may also be to blame.

Although the virus its self is invisible to the naked eye their are several signs and symptoms to watch for. Usually the yields will be small and poor. The largest group of viruses are the ones that cause a yellow and green mottling of leaves and spotting. This results from chlorosis (death of chlorophyll in cells). The second group of plant viral disease are the ones that cause yellowing, leaf curling and dwarfing, but little or no motting or spotting. This is causes by blockage to the plant’s vascular system (which is akin to human circulatory system) restricting the flow of water and nutrients. Most methods of control focus on eliminating conditions that enable the spread of plant viral disease, for once a plant is infected there is little you can do to restore it to health.